Kathy S. (Ewing) Snider

Kathy Sue (Ewing) Snider, 79, of Washington, IL passed away at 6:04 AM on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Carle Health Methodist Medical Center in Peoria.  She was born on May 31, 1944, in Paris, IL to Clifton and Verla (Bedwell) Ewing.

She is survived by her husband, Theodore Snider. Children: Ted Snider (Linda); Kimberly Havens (Richard); and Trent Snider (Christy); sister Beverly Gosnell; grandchildren: Anthony Havens, Tyler Havens, Cody Havens, Brock Havens, Ashley Walder, Claire Snider, and Erin Snider. She also had 16 great-grandchildren.

She graduated from Paris high school where was a cheerleader for all 4 years, the students chose her to be in the Homecoming court during her freshman, sophomore, and junior years. In her senior year she was chosen by the students to be the May Fete Queen. She worked as a student in the high school office, was in the band 2 years, and was in 4-H for eight years.

She attended Eastern Illinois University before her marriage to Theodore on November 25, 1962. She also took courses at Danville Junior College and later studied medical transcription.

Kathy was an excellent mother, teaching her children responsibility, and she and Ted always tried to challenge their children with all sorts of learning games from the time they could begin to recognize shapes and colors. It made learning fun for them.

For several years, Kathy and Ted combined their vacations with either trips with their youth groups or continuing education conferences. Kathy used her organizing abilities in the church’s bazaars, making them a success. She had a knack in knowing what customers were expecting, and set her goals to go beyond those expectations. In Arcola, her business, The Butterfly Box, also grew. Over the years, she added cross stitch and made several clergy stoles. They were so unique that Cokesbury wanted her to make stoles for them. In retirement she focused on making quilts. She quilted one morning a week with a group of women that she truly enjoyed called friend. Indeed, she loved the feel of threads and material and the potential that they held to create something beautiful.

As Kathy’s self-esteem grew she became more independent and other people saw that she was a person with true abilities and self-worth. A church member wrote: “My thanks to your Kathy, too. I admire her creativeness so much and if she were not the person she is, you could not be as effective as you are. You’ve both done so much for the church and the congregation.”

Over the years, Kathy excelled in the various jobs she had. Working with an optometrist who recognized her abilities, he gave her the role of preparing the quarterly journal for the Illinois Optometric Association. Working as a secretary for a hotel manager, she was consistently given the role of writing the manager’s letters because, he said, “you do it better than anyone else. I trust you.” When she was working at Lincoln Land Community College she was given the responsibility of working in the women’s center, speaking with and giving help and comfort to those women coming into the center.

She was always concerned with others and their needs, so that even as she lay dying in her hospital bed, the first thing she asked a visitor was about his wife who recently had surgery. A friend, sending a note of sympathy, remembered how close Kathy and two other women had been in this life. He wrote that now that the three are together again, what trouble do you think they will get into?” That reflects something that the three held in common: they enjoyed life and knew how to laugh and love.

Following Kathy's wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.  A celebration of life is scheduled for 11 AM Saturday, October 14, 2023, with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Willow Hill United Methodist Church in Germantown Hills. In lieu of flowers memorials in her name may be given to American Cancer Society or Preacher’s Aid Society, P.O. Box 19207, Springfield, IL 62794-9207. As we remember Kathy, let us celebrate her life and the love she shared with all who knew her. Her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched. Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington is assisting the family with arrangements. To share a memory or condolence with her family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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