Miriam (Ziff) Snyder

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Miriam Ziff Snyder on October 8, 2023. “Mim” or “Mimin” (as her grandchildren affectionately called her) resided at Duncaster Senior Living until the remarkable age of 98 years old. She leaves all that knew her an extensive legacy of love and devotion to her family, friends and community. Mim grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Michael Ziff and Dorothy Simons Ziff. She had three siblings that she loved, Howard Ziff, Wini Spitalnick, and attorney Richard N. Ziff, who predeceased her. In addition, Mim was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Herbert Snyder and her son Robert Snyder.
She graduated from Weaver High school, class of 1943, where she was a member of a select acapella choir as well as the Iota Phi Sorority. Subsequently she met and married Dr. Herbert L. Snyder of West Hartford. They moved to Manchester. CT. when Herb began his medical practice. Mim immersed herself in motherhood and community service. She adored being a mother to her daughter Debbe, and son, Rob. She never missed dance and piano recitals, vocal concerts, football games, swim meets, synchronized performances, golf tournaments and ski events. For decades, Mim was totally involved in many community organizations and took on numerous leadership roles throughout her life. Everyone loved Mim. She was enthusiastic, positive, and always made everyone around her feel good about what they were doing. She was president of the Manchester Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She put on her nurse’s aide training to good use, spending 30 years working along side the nurses at Manchester Memorial Hospital. Because her mother died of cancer when Mim was very young, she devoted many years to the American Cancer Society. She received special Congressional recognition, a heroine award for founding a local chapter of the Reach to Recovery Program in Manchester. In addition, Mim and Herb became very active in the Connecticut Chapter of the World Affairs Center. They became a host family for diplomats from third world countries who would attend classes at UCONN, furthering their post graduate studies. They attended conferences in Washington, D.C. and other parts of the country, trying to provide public awareness of the difficulties people faced from under privileged countries. They developed lifelong friendships which took them around the world throughout their lives. Mim loved embracing other cultures and instilling tolerance and understanding for foreign peoples. Mim was also a member of B’nai Brith and Hadassah and was honored for 50 years of membership and participation in the International Hadassah Organization, taking part in projects and programs involving Jewish women around the world. Mim loved her four beautiful granddaughters and spent years including them in summer travel to Cape Cod, Westerly, Rhode Island, Caribbean cruises and visits to her Florida home in Delray Beach. Mim spent her entire adult life playing golf, a game in which she excelled. She spent years with friends mastering the game and priding herself on being an “8 holer”. She and Herb belonged to Ellington Ridge Country Club, Tumble Brook Country Club and Delaire Country Club. Mim was considered a great cook by her family and friends and loved to entertain. Her dinner parties were legendary. She had an extensive cookbook collection and built up a collection of recipe cards over the years which she happily shared. Mim is survived by her daughter, Debbe Greenspan and husband, Richard, her grandchildren, Tara Kinney, husband, Peter Kinney, of Andovoer, Massachusetts, Tracey Greenspan of Westford, Massachusetts, Alison Snyder Uthe of Raleigh, NC and Leslie Snyder and partner, Will Starks, of Louisville, CO, six great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Carter, Avery, Mason, Theo and Sylvie. She will also be missed by her daughter-in-law, Susan Gitnes Snyder, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to thank the most attentive staff at Caleb Hitchcock, Duncaster, who gave their unconditional love and support to Mim and her family these last three years. Special thanks to Barbra Stephens and Yelva Gehy for their years of devotion, care, and good humor which was so greatly appreciated. A private graveside service will be held Monday, October 16, 2023 at 1 o’clock at Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford, CT, officiated by Rabbi Jeffery Bennett. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her daughter, Debbe Greenspan at 5 South Ridge Drive, Bloomfield, CT. between 3 and 6 with a minyan at 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Mim can be made to the American Cancer Society, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Weinstein’s Mortuary of West Hartford. To sign the guest book for Mim, please visit www.weintsteinmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to honor Mim can be made to the American Cancer Society, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, or a charity of the donor’s choice.

The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her daughter, Debbe Greenspan at 5 South Ridge Drive, Bloomfield, CT. between 3 and 6 with a minyan at 7 pm.