The History of a Life Well-Lived

On August 2nd, 2025, surrounded by family and friends, the final chapter of Amy Snyder's beautiful life on earth came to a close, giving way to her never-ending story in her Heavenly home that her soul was meant for all along.

Scripture tells us that Heaven does not require a sun or moon because it is illuminated by the glory of God.  It must have been a sight to behold as Amy with her 1000-megawatt smile arrived and illuminated it even further.

Everyone who knew Amy knew she loved Jesus, books, history, education, her community, and her family and friends.  Amy’s intelligence, wit, kindness, love, service to others, and dedication to “bringing the joy” everywhere she went were as brilliantly on display as her unforgettable smile. Even as a young lady in middle- and high-school, amid all the temptations young people face, Amy’s everyday presence was Christ-like. She exuded love and joy.

Amy Leigh Macera was born on May 27th, 1972, in Oneida, New York, to Francis and Cynthia Macera. She was a doting and devoted sister to her older brother Stephen Macera and younger brother Matthew Macera.

Amy graduated from Canastota High School where she excelled academically, athletically, and socially. She played soccer and volleyball and received the Senior Scholar Athlete Award, High Honor Roll and was Homecoming Queen. Some of her other high school achievements included High Honor Roll and being crowned Homecoming Queen. Even in High School, Amy’s devotion to her faith was strong. She faithfully attended Vernon Baptist Church Youth Group and grew in favor with both God and man.

After high school, Amy went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts in History at Gordon College in 1994.  While at Gordon College, Amy again excelled academically, athletically, and socially.  She continued to be a high achieving student, played collegiate volleyball, and met the ladies that became her lifelong friend group, affectionately known as “The Gordon Girls.”  The Gordon Girls, Cheri (Fountain) Hustead, Cathy (Pierce) Lindsay, Alizia (Oliver) Winton, Jennifer (Wolff) Jukanovich, Kristen Hylenski, and Andrea (Boylan) Polnaszek have held annual reunions for the past 30 years, studying the Bible, singing, and generally bringing joy everywhere they go. Fittingly, they were there to sing Amy and family through the night in her final earthly hours as all of heaven welcomed her home for the ultimate reunion.

Amy continued her educational achievements and was awarded her Massachusetts Teacher Certification in History Grades 9-12 in 1996 and obtained her Museum Studies Certificate from Tufts University in 2002.

It took a little while to get to the chapter of Amy’s story where she met her future husband in an unlikely setting…on a blind date…at a work party hosted at a Hooters… and fell in love. It was a love story for the ages and well worth the wait! On September 26th, 2009, Amy became the happily wedded wife of Kevin Paul Snyder. They were married at Pacific Union Congregational Church in Westport, Massachusetts. Westport is home to a summer cottage that is a generational gathering place for Amy’s family and was as dear to Amy’s heart as Kevin had so quickly become.  Their wedding was a foreshadow of the life they would live together- one where they were in love, in a place they loved, surrounded by those they loved and who loved them. Amy did not climb her career ladder alone as Kevin was often seen in supporting roles or behind the scenes of Amy’s successes, smiling with pride and always quick to brag on his Amy. Likewise, Amy did not fight cancer alone and had many supporters but none with the undying devotion of her warrior and protector Kevin, who was beside her all the time, right up to walking her home one last time to her happily ever after. The world needs more love stories like Amy and Kevin’s.

Amy used her genuine love for people, her passion for education, and her skill for making history come alive to create an illustrious career that made a lasting impact on thousands. Amy’s 28-year professional career included educational to Executive Director roles at two schools and six different museums. Her early career posts were at the Woodlawn Plantation and the Pope Leighey House, The Old Manse, The Concord Museum, and the SPNEA House. She shined exceedingly in her fourteen years at the Holocaust Museum and Education Center of Southwest Florida where she served first as the Education Director and then Executive Director. Amy’s impact during her time at the Holocaust Museum of SWFL was profound. Amy brought a level of community engagement, awareness, and impact through collaboration with teachers, curriculum creation, volunteers, the community, and survivors that ensured the history of the holocaust, genocide ,and human rights would continue to be told with truth, compassion, and conviction.  Amy collaborated to create the only traveling Holocaust-era boxcar program in the nation.

Amy then transitioned to Champions for Learning and The Education Foundation where she cultivated relationships with educators at more than 60 schools throughout Collier County, Florida. Amy impacted educators and students alike through professional learning opportunities, Classroom Grants Program, and led the Golden Apple Awards, an unrivaled teacher recognition program.

The final professional chapter in Amy’s meaningful career story was written just as it should be for any lover of history-in historic Savannah, Georgia, where Amy lived in a historical home built in 1914 and walked down a cobbled street long ago traversed by horse and buggy to the historical building housing the Georgia Historical Society.

Throughout her career, Amy was featured many times in the press for the positive impact she made through education and leadership throughout her career. Amy was deeply honored to be named a Lamed Vavnik during her time at the Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida. A Lamed Vavnik in Jewish folklore is one, unknown to others and even themselves, who through their acts of kindness and righteousness are thought to be powerful enough to counteract evil and prevent the world from falling into ruin. Among other accolades, Amy was also featured in the prestigious award program “Extraordinary Women of SWFL.”   Amy devoted herself to work that mattered.

Despite the reverberating impact Amy made throughout her career, she will most fondly be remembered and cherished as a wife, daughter, sister, daughter-in-law, Aunt Mamy to her nieces and nephews, and friend.  Amy drew you in with the warmth of her smile and disarmed you with her gentle, loving way. Amy’s love was a safe one, a calm one, a sure one as it came from the overflow of love she had in her heart put there by the love of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amy yearned deeply for all to know Jesus’ love and have it transform their hearts and minds. Amy lived her life in such a way as for all of us to glimpse Jesus in our interactions with her. While Amy’s final chapter here on earth is done, she has accomplished all any of us could ever hope for…a life lived so honestly, beautifully, bravely, faithfully, and lovingly it becomes a story worth telling. A story that when referenced in the annals of history will serve as a guiding light to us all. When we think of Amy, we will do so with deep gratitude that “we have a history” with her as well as a future in heaven. 

Amy is survived by her husband Kevin Paul Snyder; her parents, Francis and Cynthia Macera; her eldest brother, Stephen Macera (Kelly); nephews, Nicholas Macera and Anthony Macera; her younger brother, Matthew Macera (Jessica); nephew, Ethan and niece, Emmy; her Aunt Deborah Gilbert, Aunt Jenny Hughes (Greg); and Uncles John Macera and Michael Macera (Cecilia); and her mother- and father-in-law, Kenneth and Karen Snyder.

 Celebration of Life Service for Amy Snyder 

Saturday, October 4th at 11 a.m. 

North Naples Baptist Church 

1811 Oakes Blvd, Naples, FL 34119

Food and fellowship directly following the service at the church.  All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made in memory of Amy to the following organizations:

 The Georgia Historical Society in Memory of Amy Snyder

Tactica Global Ministries in Memory of Amy Snyder

The Holocaust Museum of Southwest Florida in Memory of Amy Snyder

Go Fund Me in Support of Amy Snyder