Nora R. Snyder

Nora Ruth Showers Snyder, 102, formerly of North Charlotte Street, Manheim, died at Pleasant View Retirement Community, on Saturday, September 20, 2014 after a one and a half year struggle with MDS, a bone marrow disorder. She had been a resident at Pleasant View Retirement Community, Manheim, since 1998. Nora was the daughter of the late John S. and Emma Walmer Showers, and was born on a Manheim area farm in Rapho Township, Lancaster County, on July 15, 1912. She was the loving wife of the late Wesley W. Snyder who died in 1996. Nora was the last of her immediate family.

At the age of 5 Nora worked as a mother’s helper to a newborn child. She then helped to care for an elderly member of a local family and served meals daily for one year. At age 13 she cared for her aunt Lizzie Showers Moyer who had suffered a broken hip. A doctor taught Nora how to stabilize the hip injury by using sandbags on a daily basis. Her aunt recovered and walked with the aid of a cane. Nora worked at the Elizabethtown Crippled Children’s Hospital during WWII years.

After World War II she married Wesley, a US Navy veteran, and moved to Philadelphia where she worked at Germantown Hospital for several years. She and her husband returned to Manheim and Nora provided care for approximately 10 years to John K. Miller, her former teacher at the Rapho Township Mt Vernon one-room school, and family friend Mary Shreiner.

Nora was a graduate LPN of the Post Graduate Hospital School of Nursing, Chicago. Nora was a member of Ruhl’s United Methodist Church, Manheim. While at Pleasant View, Nora was a volunteer in many areas, and she participated in an association of retired nurses who were fellow residents. Her interests included: crocheting, gardening, baking and cooking.
Nora is survived by nephews: John H. Leibold (Beverly), Lititz, Leonard L. Leibold (Ruth), Annville, nieces: Minta Taylor, Jenkintown, Mary Reed, Albuquerque, NM; Kathy Prentice, Philadelphia, cousins: Mary Birk, Chattanooga, TN; Mildred Rebennack, Indianapolis, IN; Marian Croucher, Las Vegas, NV; Claralee Showers Black, Bloomington, IN; Marlene Showers Stoner, North Vernon, IN; Roseann Showers Morgan, Chesapeake, VA; a great niece and a great nephew, a great-great nephew and two great-great nieces. Also surviving Nora are longtime neighbors and devoted friends, Larry and Mary Jane Weachter, Manheim, their children and grandchildren.

Besides her husband and parents, Nora was preceded in death by sister Lomie Showers Leibold (Leon); twin sister and brother, Margie M. Showers, and John W. Showers; brother, Leroy W. Showers; foster sister, Emma Wenger Kretzing (Don); nephews Leon R. Leibold Jr. and Jay Kretzing.

The family wishes to thank the medical staff and workers in the Terrace Gardens and the 400 Level of the Calvin Wenger Wellness Center, at Pleasant View Retirement Community, and the Hospice and Community Care Staff of Lancaster, for their dedication and devoted care of Nora. Also many thanks to Dr. Deb Chakrabarti, and Dr. William Hunt, of Lancaster General Health, Manheim Family Medicine, who provided excellent care for Nora. Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, staff, and volunteers who provided infusion services at the LGH, Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Center, Suburban Outpatient Pavilion, Lancaster.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Nora’s funeral service in the Hoffer Auditorium at the Pleasant View Retirement Community, 544 North Penryn Road, Manheim, on Thursday, September 25, 2014 at 10:30 AM with Chaplain Ginny Hartman officiating. There will be a viewing in the Hoffer Auditorium on Thursday morning from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Interment will be in Hernley Mennonite Cemetery, Rapho Township. In lieu of flowers contributions may be sent in Nora’s memory to the Pleasant View Retirement Community Benevolent Care Endowment Fund, 544 North Penryn Road, Manheim, PA 17545.