Aldine Gertrude Snider, nee Gadsby (b. 1930)
Aldene Snider was born on a farm near Oil Spring, Ontario. She began her nursing training in 1950 at Sarnia General Hospital.1) She also attended the Anglican Women's Training College in Toronto.2) Aldine came the north when she was given two choices of placements: a staff nurse in Aklavik or the lone nurse in Hay River. She chose Hay River. There was no telephone and the nearest telegraph was at the army dispatch across the river. They would send a message to Fort Smith and someone would contact the doctor with Aldene's inquiry. Aldene met Ken Snider in Hay River and they married [in 1958].3)
Ken and Aldine’s son John was born in Aklavik in 1959 and Peter was born in Inuvik in 1960. The family left the north in 1961 for Ontario and Hope was born in Petrolia, Ontario. Ken was posted to Colonsay, Saskatchewan and Grace was born at nearby Waterous in 1963. Ken entered Emmanual & St, Chad’s School of Theology in Saskatoon and Paul was born there in 1964. Richard Cober was born in Dawson in 1972, named after Richard Martin who baptized him.4)
Aldene baked for visiting seniors in Dawson, Mayo, and Pelly Crossing. She had a deadly sense of humour but is best known for her volunteer work at the Anglican Church Thrift Shop in Dawson.5) Lil Munroe was the caretaker of the shop when Aldene Snider came to Dawson in 1967. She worked along with Lil to keep the shop open and organized. After their various posting, the Sniders retired in 1998 and moved back to Dawson.6) Her renewed efforts transformed a rummage store to a place where designer and off-the-rack items could be found. She offered new mothers a free bag of the best, barely used, infant clothing. There was a well-stocked costuming area for the town’s many dress-up events.7) After Aldine retired from the Thrift Store, she maintained a limited role in the operation by keeping the financial books.8)
In July 2008, Ken and Aldene celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends. They were named Mr. and Mrs. Yukon during the 2009 Sourdough Rendezvous Festival.9) In 2013, Aldine Snider was awarded the Commissioner’s Public Volunteer Service Award.10)