Marie Pauline Xavier Snyder, died Saturday June 19, at a Petaluma skilled nursing facility after a valiant struggle. She was 85 years of age. Cause of death was a bacterial infection complicated by dementia.

She was the wife of Judson Snyder, reporter and columnist for The Community Voice. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in December 2010.

“For me to say it’s a great loss is a grievous understatement,” said Snyder. “She was always with me providing support no matter where I went in my journalistic pursuit. From sports reporting in New York to ‘non-profits’ like jazz or left-wing radio stations to UHF TV stations and weekly newspapers in California where you work 60 hours a week and still wonder if you’ll be able to pay the rent.”

Pauline Snyder, the name she preferred, worked as a designer of custom jewelry and clerical jobs during their marriage. She was preceded in death by her parents, Marie and Paul Xavier, and two younger brothers.

Jud and Pauline had no children, but his younger sister, Lorna McGuire, had eight children and upstate New York is populated with many nephews and nieces plus grand nieces and nephews. Lorna McGuire resides in Geneseo, New York.

Pauline Snyder was an animal lover all her life. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Rohnert Park Animal Shelter or to Hospice of Petaluma.
A celebration of her life will be held from 1 to 3 pm Saturday, July 10, in the Rohnert Park Senior Center, Hunter and Enterprise drives. The public is invited.