Obituary for Elizabeth Snyder Fisher (Snyder)
Elizabeth (Betty) S. Fisher, 96, of Roanoke, VA, passed away Thursday, March 3, 2022, at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Born November 23, 1925, in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late William H. Snyder and the late Florence M. Eggleston Thiem.
Betty grew up in Williston Park, NY and was a graduate of the Park Avenue School and Mineola High School. After graduating from high school, she joined her older brother, the late William G. Snyder, Sr., at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. It was there, on the front steps of Lucas Hall, that she met Carlton H. Kiser and further established the family dynasty at the college that began with her brother. The couple married during Betty’s senior year, and together, she and Kay raised four daughters, Lynn, Lauren, Pamela, and Patricia, all of whom attended Roanoke College. In the years that followed, a niece, a nephew, and three of their grandchildren also became RC Maroons. While enjoying her years at RC, she served as president of her freshman class and became a sister of Sigma Kappa Phi and grew friendships that lasted a lifetime.
She and Kay were active for many years in the Long Island chapter of the Roanoke College Alumni Association, hosting an annual get-together for incoming students at the Garden City Hotel. An excellent cook, her chocolate chip Toll House cookies were legendary in the dorms at Roanoke, as well as having magical luck properties for anyone taking a major exam such as a medical or law board! For many years she served as leader of Lynn’s Girl Scout troop, taking the girls through Senior Scouts. As an adult, she discovered a passion for travel after years of accompanying Kay on convention trips. This evolved into a love of cruise travel, eventually making her a member of the 1,000 Club for those who have spent a thousand days or more on the Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years, she visited all but two of the continents, making many friends and having wonderful adventures along the way.
After Kay’s death in 1979, Betty returned to Roanoke where she had many ties. She met and married William Dickinson Roe, Sr. (Dick), a high school classmate of Kay’s, in 1981. After Dick’s death in 1988, she married Charles Harold Fisher (Hap) in 1991, and they lived in Salem and Roanoke until Hap’s death in 2011 at the age of 104.
Surviving are her four children: Lynn K. Fisher and Donald Fisher of Clayton, NC; Lauren K. Dawson of Walnut Creek, CA; Pamela K. Goodwin and James Goodwin of Washington, NJ; and Patricia K. Cosenza and John Cosenza of Branchburg, NJ; grandchildren Barbara (Jeff) Bishop, Janis Long (Kristie Chittum), Courtney Dawson (Marco) Ferrone, Bryant (Ashley) Dawson, Rebecca (Michael) James, James (Kelsey) Goodwin, Garrett (Corey) Cosenza, and Devon (Kyle) Pucciarello; and 14 great grandchildren; Ellory Bishop, Peyton (Aaron) Heidman, Hetty Bishop, Sophie Bishop, Truman Bishop, Ryan Long, Chance Long, Brady James, Landon James, Finn Goodwin, Paige Dawson, Andrew Ferrone, Mackenzie Dawson, and Miya Cosenza.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Roanoke College or a charity of your choice.
Betty grew up in Williston Park, NY and was a graduate of the Park Avenue School and Mineola High School. After graduating from high school, she joined her older brother, the late William G. Snyder, Sr., at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. It was there, on the front steps of Lucas Hall, that she met Carlton H. Kiser and further established the family dynasty at the college that began with her brother. The couple married during Betty’s senior year, and together, she and Kay raised four daughters, Lynn, Lauren, Pamela, and Patricia, all of whom attended Roanoke College. In the years that followed, a niece, a nephew, and three of their grandchildren also became RC Maroons. While enjoying her years at RC, she served as president of her freshman class and became a sister of Sigma Kappa Phi and grew friendships that lasted a lifetime.
She and Kay were active for many years in the Long Island chapter of the Roanoke College Alumni Association, hosting an annual get-together for incoming students at the Garden City Hotel. An excellent cook, her chocolate chip Toll House cookies were legendary in the dorms at Roanoke, as well as having magical luck properties for anyone taking a major exam such as a medical or law board! For many years she served as leader of Lynn’s Girl Scout troop, taking the girls through Senior Scouts. As an adult, she discovered a passion for travel after years of accompanying Kay on convention trips. This evolved into a love of cruise travel, eventually making her a member of the 1,000 Club for those who have spent a thousand days or more on the Queen Elizabeth II. Over the years, she visited all but two of the continents, making many friends and having wonderful adventures along the way.
After Kay’s death in 1979, Betty returned to Roanoke where she had many ties. She met and married William Dickinson Roe, Sr. (Dick), a high school classmate of Kay’s, in 1981. After Dick’s death in 1988, she married Charles Harold Fisher (Hap) in 1991, and they lived in Salem and Roanoke until Hap’s death in 2011 at the age of 104.
Surviving are her four children: Lynn K. Fisher and Donald Fisher of Clayton, NC; Lauren K. Dawson of Walnut Creek, CA; Pamela K. Goodwin and James Goodwin of Washington, NJ; and Patricia K. Cosenza and John Cosenza of Branchburg, NJ; grandchildren Barbara (Jeff) Bishop, Janis Long (Kristie Chittum), Courtney Dawson (Marco) Ferrone, Bryant (Ashley) Dawson, Rebecca (Michael) James, James (Kelsey) Goodwin, Garrett (Corey) Cosenza, and Devon (Kyle) Pucciarello; and 14 great grandchildren; Ellory Bishop, Peyton (Aaron) Heidman, Hetty Bishop, Sophie Bishop, Truman Bishop, Ryan Long, Chance Long, Brady James, Landon James, Finn Goodwin, Paige Dawson, Andrew Ferrone, Mackenzie Dawson, and Miya Cosenza.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Roanoke College or a charity of your choice.