Virginia Faye “Ginny” (Senter) Snyder passed away on December 9, 2022 at age 87 in Freeland, Washington. Ginny was born to James Enlo “Jim” Senter and Ova Ola “Toni” (Ridenour) Senter on June 11, 1935 in Missouri. Ginny attended Oregon College of Education prior to meeting and marrying the love of her life, Jerry Edward Snyder, on March 17, 1957. With Jerry serving 5 tours in the Vietnam War, Ginny was the consummate Naval Aviator’s wife, raising their four children while moving and setting up house at different bases countless times.
Initially for herself, Ginny began painting and even opened an art gallery called The Gin Mill. Over the years, she painted in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. The family settled on Whidbey Island where they ran a restaurant (The Loft) in Greenbank and eventually, Ginny became a realtor and continued painting some of her best work. Ginny wholeheartedly enjoyed ‘going to Italy’ – a figurative escape with charcuterie, wine and limoncello that has now been adopted by her family and friends.
Ginny is survived by her 3 children Deborah Ann Houchin (husband Mitch) of Nebraska, Kelley Jo Miles (husband Lee) of Greenbank, and Steven Edward Snyder (wife Lisa) of Chattaroy; her 5 grandchildren and their families, Alexander Houchin (wife Destiny and first great-grandson Granger), Steven Houchin (wife Alexis), Jacob Snyder (wife Alisha), Nicholas Snyder and Grace Snyder; as well as many more family and friends. Ginny was preceded in death by her husband Jerry and her first child, Teresa Lynn (Snyder) Hesselgrave, who both welcomed her home with loving arms.
Ginny will be remembered as a loving, lovable, wife, mother and friend. Make no mistake, she was one of the toughest ladies you could know and she comported herself in a manner that was both tender and fierce. She was so much more than what can be explained here. She is, and will always be, dearly missed. A Memorial Service honoring Ginny will be held at the Washington State Veteran’s Cemetery in Medical Lake, Washington on Friday, April 21, 2023 with a reception to follow at First Street Bar & Grill in Deer Park, Washington. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Freeland Trinity Lutheran Schrecengost fund.
