Barbara Sue (Corey) Snyder

Barbara Sue (Corey) Snyder passed away peacefully in Colorado on January 16, 2023, surrounded by her family. Barbara was born December 10, 1939, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she grew up. After graduating from Ottawa Hills High School, Barbara attended Michigan State University on an academic scholarship. Barbara graduated, with honors, as an RN from the College of Nursing, and embarked on a multifaceted career in nursing that started with her work as an OB/GYN floor nurse at Holy Family Hospital in Chicago. Later, she provided private-duty nursing care in the Detroit area. Barbara eventually rose to be Director of Nursing, first at Staff Builders, and then at Medical Personnel Pool. At age 53, after her children were grown, she made her dream of living in San Diego a reality. Not knowing anyone in San Diego, Barbara accepted a job teaching in the nursing program at Meric College, bought a house, found a bridge club, and began loving her life in Southern California. 

Barbara had a lifelong love of travel and always made time to enjoy trips with family and friends. Barbara visited all 50 states and traveled to over 30 countries. From each trip, she returned excited to share all she had seen and done – and ready to plan another trip. As her grandchildren became teenagers, Barbara arranged a special trip, of each grandchild’s choosing, for just the two of them. With her grandchildren, “G. Barb” traveled to Australia, Greece, Egypt, Alaska, Hawaii, and Dubai, creating memories her grandchildren will carry with them always.

While she loved the warm climate of Southern California and enthusiastically travelled the world, she couldn’t wait for summer to arrive in Michigan so she could return to her beloved cabin on Lake Charlevoix, where she liked to tour the lake by boat, visit with family, and end each day watching a glorious sunset. This was “home” for Barbara.

Barbara was an avid fan of any activities in which her grandchildren were involved and could be heard cheering from the stands, no matter the weather. She had a generous spirit and would do anything she could to help someone in need. She found joy in giving meaningful gifts and never let a special occasion slip by without a card or a note. Barbara always said with a smile to remember that “she did the best she could,” but, what we’ll remember instead is that “she was the best.”

Anyone who knows Barbara knows that nothing was more important to her than her family. She is survived by her two children, daughter Susan Snyder Carrera (Robert) of Morrison, CO, and son Mark Snyder (Valerie) of Charlevoix, MI.  Barbara is also survived by five grandchildren: Matthew Carrera (Christie) of Clarksville, TN, Christina Carrera Balbin (Austin) of Castle Rock, CO, Maria Carrera of Morrison, CO, and Jacob Snyder and Luke Snyder, both of Charlevoix. She is also survived by her brother, Timothy (Ky) Corey of Laguna Nigel, CA. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Maxine Corey, and her brother, James Corey. 

A funeral will be held at Park Congregational Church in Grand Rapids, MI, on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 11:00 am, followed by interment at Highland Park Cemetery in Ionia.  The family will greet friends on Friday from 5 to 7pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

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