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CCHS MOURNS DEATH OF JUDITH SNYDER
Served as Executive Director and Museum Curator
CAMDEN, N.J. -- Judith Snyder, executive director of the Camden County Historical Society, was laid to rest in Laurel Grove Cemetery in Totowa, N.J., on Oct. 25. She died on Oct. 19 at Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center.
Ms. Snyder, a resident of Westmont, was being treated for cancer, according to her family.
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| The front doors of the Historical Society have been hung with two Victorian mourning wreaths in honor of Ms. Snyder's long love of Victorian history.
The Victorian mourning wreath tradition speaks in the language of flowers, using the special meanings of flowers, herbs and leaves. The base of the wreath is made of laurel leaves. Laurel signifies Glory. Ivy trims the wreath. Ivy, in the language of flowers, denotes Friendship. The oak leaves on the wreath signify Strength. The small pansies say, "You are in our Thoughts." The silvery herb denotes rosemary for Remembrance. And the forget-me-nots stand for Hope and Remembrance. The wreath is trimmed with black matte velvet ribbon befitting the somber occasion for which it was created.
- Sandy Levins
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"We are shocked and very deeply saddened by the news of Ms. Snyder's death," said Society president Richard Pillatt. "She was a respected colleague as well as a good friend. We will greatly miss her and the spirit and talent she brought to her work."
Ms. Snyder's funeral took place at the Vander Platt Colonial Funeral home in Fair Lawn, N.J., near her parents house. A service was held in Christ Episcopal Church in Ridgewood prior to her interment in Laurel Grove. A contingent from the Historical Society attended the services.
Ms. Snyder is survived by her son, Jonathan O'Boyle of Westmont, N.J.; her parents, Frances and Ralph Snyder of Fair Lawn, N.J.; and her brother, Robert Snyder of Denver, Colo.
Ms. Snyder joined the Historical Society in 2001 as museum director and was responsible for the collections housed in the Society's museum and restored 18th-century mansion, Pomona Hall.
In 2003, she was named the Society's executive director and was working full time at her duties until only three weeks ago, when she was admitted to Our Lady of Lourdes.
Ms. Snyder previously served for fifteen years as membership director and then executive director of the Victorian Society in America, a national organization with 5,000 members. She simultaneously served as editor of The Victorian & 19th Century magazine.
For many years she also worked as a historical consultant to the Department of Engraving of the United States Mint.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Snyder, who studied advertising, art and illustration at Moore College of Art and the Art Institute of Philadelphia, worked as a curatorial assistant at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
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