Edith “Blondie” May (Nielsen) SnyderDresden, NY

Edith “Blondie” May (Nielsen) Snyder, age 92, passed away on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Clifton Springs Hospital. She was born on May 18, 1933, in Dresden, NY, to the late Jul and Agnes (Thomsen) Nielsen.

Blondie was predeceased by her loving husband, Donald J. Snyder (2005); her brothers, Elmer (Flora) Nielsen, Edmond Nielsen, and George Nielsen; sisters, Marion (Kendal) Benedict and Betty Mattison; grandson, Christopher Jensen (2022); niece, Charlene Nielsen (2004); and nephew, Douglas Mattison (2009).

She is survived by her daughters, Gale (Alan) Jensen of Penn Yan, NY, Julie (Dick) Brooks of Clifton Springs, NY, and Katherine “Katie” (Jake) and Craig (Andy) Nissen of Rushville, NY; a sister, Doris (Clem) Nielsen of Penn Yan, NY; grandchildren, Janelle Backal, Jeremy (Carolyn) Jensen, Brittany (Joseph) Czworka, Zachary (Holly) Brooks, and Tyler (Halie) Brooks; great-grandchildren, Brielle and Dawson Backal, Olivia Czworka, and Adelyn and Elodie Jensen; nieces, Rita, Kelly, and Sandy; nephews, Dave, Lonnie, Barry, and Kevin; her beloved cat, Klinger; and many other relatives in Denmark.

Blondie attended Penn Yan Academy, graduating with the Class of 1950. She married fellow classmate Donald J. Snyder on December 13, 1953, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Penn Yan, NY. She worked as a legal secretary for Daniel R. Taylor, Esq., and later served as Town Clerk/Tax Collector for the Town of Jerusalem. She was also employed as a secretary by the Finger Lakes DDSO until her retirement in 1998.

A devoted congregant of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Blondie also served as a Girl Scout leader for many years. She played the accordion at Danish dances during the 1950s and was a member of the Easternaires Band. Proud of her Danish heritage, she enjoyed visiting relatives in Denmark throughout her life.

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 135 Hamilton St., Penn Yan, NY. A funeral service will follow at 5:00 PM, with a reception immediately after at the church. She will be laid to rest beside her husband in Lakeview Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Yates County, 1216 State Route 14A, Penn Yan, NY 14527, or to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758541, Topeka, KS 66675-8541.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Townsend-Wood & Zinger Funeral Home, Penn Yan, NY.