Occupation: I started my career as a graphic artist in Westport, and then went to Vogue magazine in New York City. My focus shifted when my son, Ian, was born with Down syndrome, as I was navigating the world of disabilities and advocating for him. I
Occupation: I started my career as a graphic artist in Westport, and then went to Vogue magazine in New York City. My focus shifted when my son, Ian, was born with Down syndrome, as I was navigating the world of disabilities and advocating for him. I brought my skill set to various organizations. I did development and fundraising for United Way when we lived in Pennsylvania. Weâve always loved architecture and home design, so when we returned to Newtown, I studied real estate and got my license. Iâm an agent with William Raveis now. Itâs funny, but all my skills of negotiating with families and schools and disability agencies are perfect for the real estate world.
Family: My husband is Tim Snyder. Ian is 27 years old, and is in a supported living program with Ability Beyond Disability. My daughter, Sarah, is 29. She is the account director for Deutsch advertising in New York City. Sheâs my rock star!
Pets: Brawley is our 8-year-old yellow Labrador. He was going to be my real estate dog and go everywhere with me, but he doesnât like riding in the car.
How long have you lived in Newtown? Tim and I met around 1982, when we were both working for Taunton Press. We moved to Pennsylvania in 1987 when Tim got a position there with Rodale Press. In 2002 we returned to Newtown for another job opportunity.
What do you like to do in your free time? Real estate is 24/7, but I love to play tennis when I can. I play USTA. I love to read and Iâm a gardener. I mostly do landscaping and flower gardens.
Do you have a favorite book? I like historical fiction. My most favorite recent book is The Fall of Giants, by Ken Follett. Itâs about pre-World War I, and the start of the war, and is an amazing book.
Do you have a favorite travel destination? This year, I went to England with a friend and I loved it. Tim and I are going to Sicily in the fall and Iâm really looking forward to that. I have no favorite place. I love to discover and travel to new places.
What is the best thing about Newtown? I like the rural atmosphere. Thereâs a lot of wildlife here â coyotes, fox, deer, and even a bear last summer. It keeps you grounded and mindful of whatâs important.
Do you have a hero? That would be my son, Ian. Living a life with disabilities requires an amazing amount of courage and fortitude. You see people every day who donât make the most of what theyâve been given, but Ian really does.
Do you have a personal philosophy? It is on a piece of paper that lives on my icebox, and anybody who knows me well, knows that this is my philosophy: âIâm a great believer in luck, and I find that the harder I work, the more I have of it.â Itâs by Thomas Jefferson, and has been my dadâs philosophy, too.
What makes you happiest? Being with my family. I do have my father and mother still in Fairfield â 95 and 83 â so anytime with them, I love. Definitely, time with my family makes me happiest.