Dorothy Snyder is the kind of teacher you never forget. As she nears her 100th birthday, former students write her letters, send gifts and come to visit her at Seneca Manor Assisted Living in Verona, where she now lives.

She was born on March 24, 1910, in the Jeannette home she shared with her parents, Joseph and Rose Snyder, and her older brother, Paul. Born a month premature, she was not expected to survive. Her mother said she would have fit in a quart jar.

She learned to swim and dive in the Jeannette swimming pool and was still swimming regularly at the YWCA when she was in her early 90s. At Jeannette High School, she sang in choirs and choruses and was the female lead in a musical opposite Vaughn Monroe, who went on to become a famous singer, trumpeter and big band leader. She graduated in 1928.

Dr. Snyder earned her elementary teaching certificate at the Indiana Normal School and taught third grade at West Jeannette School for nine years. At Indiana State Teachers College, she received a bachelor's degree in education and at Columbia University, she earned a master's degree and doctorate in guidance and counseling. She also was certified as a reading specialist.

Dr. Snyder taught educational psychology at Geneseo State College in New York and was the Cumberland County reading specialist in Carlyle, Pa. At Indiana University of Pennsylvania, she taught educational psychology and was director of a reading clinic for college students who couldn't read. One such student went on to earn a master's degree and doctorate at Carnegie Mellon University and became a college professor. When he returns to visit, he brings flowers for Dr. Snyder and takes her to lunch.

She retired from Indiana in 1970 after 13 years and taught for two years at the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, where she retired as professor of education emeritus.

An avid reader, she particularly enjoys poetry, mysteries, biographies, politics, nature and travel. Dr. Snyder has traveled extensively in the United States and Canada and loved visiting Israel. Her favorite treats are chocolate candy and pistachio or chocolate mint ice cream.

At Seneca Manor, she enjoys exercise class, playing bingo and visiting with friends. On March 20, she will celebrate her birthday at Banquets Unlimited with friends from across the country.

Dr. Snyder says she always thought she might work in ministry because she loves to help people.

"To me the most important thing is not so much religion, but the spiritual, the belief in God and Christ," she said.

As her countless students can attest, Dr. Snyder has been working in ministry her entire life.

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