It is with sadness that we announce the sudden and natural passing of our mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend Aileen Snyder on August 11, 2011. Aileen was born to parents Alfred and Dorothy Powell in Portsmouth, England, where she lived with her family that included her brother Trevor. During the Second World War, at the age of 14, Aileen met Canadian soldier and future husband, Ralph Snyder. Aileen and Ralph were married July 6, 1945. At six months pregnant, Aileen arrived in Edgewater in the spring of 1946 after a travelling adventure that including taking a ship across the Atlantic Ocean to Halifax and then a train virtually across our great country to Golden. Aileen and Ralph spent the next 25 years between Edgewater and Nakusp where they raised their 5 children until Ralph’s untimely death in 1970. Aileen moved from Nakusp to Edgewater with her 3 youngest children in 1971. She remained in and around the Valley off and on over the years with stops in Elkford, Creston and Nakusp before settling in Invermere for the final time. Aileen was not afraid to make a decision when she believed it would make life better for her and her children. She had a knack for making something out of nothing and making a house a home with colour, flowers and the wonderful smells of homemade bread, jams and wonderful meals. She was caring and giving and would have loved to have been a nurse. While small in stature, her heart and will were large. She would share what she had with those who were less fortunate. Aileen is survived by her sons Mick , Len (Linda), Lawrence and daughter Shelley. She is also survived by her grandchildren Dwayne (Kristy), Murray (Yvonne), Marina (Brian), Aaron (Harmony), Cade and Bryan and great grandchildren Stephanie, Zach, Kyle, Evan, Todd and Shayne. Aileen is predeceased by her parents, brother, husband Ralph and son Ruston.

The family wishes to thank the ambulance attendants and medical staff at the Invermere hospital for all their efforts to bring Aileen back to us.

Come and celebrate Aileen’s life at the Edgewater Legion on Saturday September 10, 2011 from 1:00 -3:00 p.m.