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Rosaleen “Rose” Ellen Snyder

Rosaleen “Rose” Ellen Snyder, 52, of Chippewa passed away on Saturday, November 2, 2019 in ​Providence Rehabilitation Center, Beaver Falls, after a six-year fight with cancer.

Born July 27, 1967 (she always took great delight in having triple 7’s in her birthdate) to Michael Talbot Strider Reilly and the late Jane Ellen Wetterau Reilly. She was a spiritual, loving and generous wife/daughter/sister/aunt/niece and friend who was always kind and often mischievous. A great debate will now remain unsettled – many claimed to be her ‘best friend’ because she always made everyone she encountered feel as if they were – we will never know who actually her best friend was… the secret will remain with her.  In addition to her family and friends, Rose loved many things that begin with the letter ‘C’ including; celebrations, Corgis, Coca-Cola, casinos, chocolate, crystals, color, cut, and clarity. Rose celebrated things that were like her personality; beautiful, sparkly, and shiny.

Rose didn’t die from cancer, she thrived through it and maintained her kindness, compassion and generosity. She was diagnosed with cancer, already at Stage IV, in 2013.  Afterward, she endured surgeries, chemotherapies and radiation treatments, but remained working as an LPN in various area medical facilities until 2018. She comforted and cared for those who were alone, in pain, in recovery, or dying, despite her own symptoms.

She had a generous and giving spirit. While recovering from various surgeries or treatments, she collected cans because she cared about the environment. After recycling the cans for change, she donated the proceeds to the Humane Society of Beaver Falls.

Through the pain and discomfort, Rose and Dennis traveled, visited family, attended Van Morrison concerts, and in general, enjoyed life with humor, food and nature.

Rose is survived by her loving husband, Dennis Snyder of Chippewa, step-children Richard Hunnell (Stephanie) and Rachel “Nicky” Ertz (Edward) respectively of Neptune and Mullica Hill, New Jersey; her father Michael Reilly of Vilonia, AR; her brother Sean M. Reilly (Hyun Sun) of Aberdeen, MD; the two remaining of her ‘Irish Triplets’ — Margaret Ellen “Peg” Jacobs (Kevin) of Conneaut Lake, Pa and Ellen Jane Laning (Ernest) of Vilonia, AR; her ‘adopted’ mom Jean Scalf of Beaver Falls; and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In addition, she is survived by her global family of ‘Milts’ – numerous ‘brothers and sisters’ and ‘parents’ – from Milton Hershey School, Hershey, PA. Rose also loved her pets: her Corgi, Spirit, and her cats, Seven and Salem.

Rose’s family wishes to thank Dr. Grace Tarabay of Allegheny Health Network; the myriad healthcare providers who assisted with scans, lab work and other medical procedures; and, the caregivers of Providence Rehabilitation Center who were loving, caring and compassionate to Rose.

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