Arlene "Chicken" Gemmill Snyder

Arlene Gemmill Snyder, age 66, of the Arnold Wagner Road, Ogdensburg, died on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at her home. She was battling multiple types of cancer. In October 2009, the disease progressed rapidly. On February 8, 2009, there was a terrible fire that was a total loss, only to compound her devastation. She was welcomed with open arms and love where she spent her last days and moments at the home of her son, Duane, and wife, Missy and Bradley. Arlene lost her battle with cancer. Under compassionate and loving care of her doctor, Mr. Frederick Loinaz, family and her devoted niece, Sandy, and close friends with minimal intervention of Hospice.

Arlene was the baby of the family and the last to pass. She was predeceased by her husband, Philip Snyder (1992). They were together for about 40 years, 20 of them married. Arlene was also predeceased by her mother, Pearl Perry Gemmill in 1957 and her dad, Howard Henry Woodley (Tam) in 1984; and her siblings (eldest to youngest); Richard Gemmill (2009), Myrtle Longshore (2005), Robert Gemmill (1983), Larry Gemmill (1994), Raymond Gemmill (2000), Joan Gemmill Compo (1993).

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Terri Gemmill Nautel and Richard, and grandson, Travis, of Canton/Heuvelton; her son, Duane Gemmill and wife, Melissa Denner and grandson, Bradley, of Ogdensburg; her son, Robert Gemmill and Bobbi Jo Holmes, and grandson, Andrew, of Ogdensburg, Robert Jr., serving in Armed Forces and lives with his mom in Ohio, her son, Scott and Stephanie Snyder, and grandchildren, Brooke, Brittany and Hunter of Ogdensburg, her son, Christopher and Anne Snyder, and grandchildren, Kristen, Grace, and Jenna, of Ogdensburg; several loving nieces and nephews.

Arlene loved her family with every fiber of her being. There weren't any boundaries that she wouldn't cross to care for her family. She was always planning ahead, planning and more planning. People that owed her money that she loaned them and got 5 dollars at a time. She would write and rewrite what she owed or who owed her. When making her final preparations, this was one plan she didn't want to be a part of. She didn't take life too seriously though, only when it came to money. She had a great sense of humor and in fact when asked where donations or contributions could be made she said with a smile and a giggle "to my children." In her early years she loved to dance and sing, play bingo and pull tabs, later on as she got older she liked to play cards and drive her car, she practically lived in her car. I really mean it. She'd go through them like they were disposable.

The engine rarely had a chance to cool down. In a humorous way, I'm surprised that the City police didn't hire her for some watch program, she would drive around all hours of the day and night to see who was out and what was going on. Stopping to get a bite to eat at Donut King and Phillips Diner and you swore she had stock at the Sunoco station. She just couldn't sit still. She could even be spotted taking a snooze in the Donut King parking lot with her car running and her favorite music playing on the radio. Arlene had many friends young and old and was very close to some of her children's friends. Some even called her Ma or Ma Snyder and you know who you are. She never judged anyone, only if they owed her money. She was still trying to collect up to her last breath. She left this world fighting. She didn't want to go. She had unfinished business.

Words of Wisdom from Arlene's Daughter, Terri

"What we do for ourselves when we are alive, when we die, dies with us. But what we do for others, while we are alive, when we die remains immortal."

Words of Wisdom from Arlene's Grandson, Andrew

"A strong person stands up for themselves. Only a stronger person will stand up for others."

Calling hours will be at Frary Funeral Home on Monday from 3 to 5 p.m. for immediate family and 7 to 9 p.m. for family and friends. The following morning, memorial services will be held at 10:00 a.m. with Father and now Bishop, Terry LaValley officiating. A spring burial is planned and will be noted at a later date. Contributions and donations can be made to St. Mary's Church, Catholic Charities, the Ogdensburg Neighborhood Center and the American Cancer Society on her behalf. A reception given by her son, Duane, and wife, Melissa will be held at the V.F.W. next door to the funeral parlor.

Thank you and God bless you!