Joan M. Snyder

Joan M. (Merchant) Snyder, a resident of Westford for many years and formerly of Ayer and Fitchburg, passed away on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Life Care Center of Acton following a period of declining health. She was 86 years old. 

Joan was born in Fitchburg on August 26, 1939, daughter of the late Alfred and Margaret (Abel) Merchant. She grew up in Fitchburg and was a communicant of St. Bernard’s Church. Joan later lived in Ayer before settling in Westford in 2013.

In earlier years, Joan volunteered at her church. She loved people and caring for the elderly, which led to a career as a nurse’s aide at Hillcrest Nursing Home in Fitchburg. Joan enjoyed bowling, camping, roller skating, and playing cards with friends and family. Most of all, she loved dancing, and seafood, especially trips to Hampton Beach. 

She is survived by her three children and daughter-in-law: Deborah Hillman of Ayer, Mark Snyder of Ayer, and Joseph Snyder and his wife Susan of Tampa, Florida; her four grandchildren, Samantha O’Dell, Ashley Gerace, Luke Snyder, and Elizabeth Hill- man; her seven great-grandchildren, Kayson Goulet-Hillman, Laethen Gerace, Liam Gerace, Adalynn O’Dell, Myles O’Dell, Bailey O’Dell, and Milo Snyder; her siblings, Robert Merchant and his wife Mary-Lou of Maine, Linda O’Connor of Haverhill, Annette Fredrickson and her husband Eric of Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Janice Mallet and her husband Paul of Tennessee; as well as many nieces and nephews. Joan was the former wife of the late Cecil Snyder and the sister of the late Michael Merchant and Judy Charette.

Relatives and friends are invited to Joan's Celebration of Life at the Westford Healy Funeral Home 57 North Main Street from 10:00AM until 12:00 PM on Thursday, MAy 14, 2026. Her funeral service in the funeral home will follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will be private.