Rachael Goodell Schnyer

Surrounded by the love of her children, Rachael Goodell (DeVoid) Schnyer, 92, of Swanzey Center, NH passed away on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 following a lengthy illness. 

Rachael was born in East Swanzey on August 7, 1931, the daughter of Morton Alec Goodell, Sr. and Margaret M. (Marsh) Goodell. She graduated from Keene High School in 1949.
 
Following high school, Rachael married a Navy man, Gerald E. DeVoid, also from Swanzey. They were stationed at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Lexington, Maryland where their daughter Susan was born. While on base, Rachael worked for the Navy and the US Coast Guard. Sadly, in October, 1954 "Jerry" and several fellow Navy personnel and civilians were declared lost at sea following the disappearance of their Navy airplane in the Bermuda Triangle on route to Port Lyautey, Lajes in the Azores.
 
 Following her and Susan's return to New Hampshire, Rachael married Raymond Q. Schnyer of Swanzey Center. Together they built their own home and added four more children to their family, "one after the next" as she reminisced shortly before she died. She retired from bookkeeping for SAU #29 after 23 years of service. She and Ray were married for 40 years when he passed away in 2000. 
 
 Rachael was a trustee of Mt. Caesar Union Library, a member of the Retired Educators Association, a lifelong member of the First Congregational Church in Swanzey Center, and a member of The Old Homestead Garden Club. In your travels down Route 32 in Swanzey Center during the spring and summer months, folks frequently could see Rachael and her friend Edith Hill digging, planting, and weeding the gardens along the stone walls of the Potash Bowl. Rachael also loved to visit Mt. Caesar Elementary School to read to the children.
 
 Rachael is survived by her five children: Susan Curtin (husband Mark) of Fitzwilliam; Stephen Schnyer (wife Kathy) of Swanzey Center; Gay Bonilla (husband Steven) of San Diego and Coronado; Heidi Schnyer (the late Craig Lougee) of Swanzey Center; and Thomas "Tom" Schnyer (wife Melissa "Missy" Liard) of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Rachael also is survived by her seven grandchildren: Hannah Curtin (husband Matthew Wood); David Schnyer (partner Hayley Frazier); John Schnyer; Tyler Bonilla (wife Blair); Cameron Bonilla; Sophia Schnyer; and Emma Schnyer. Rachael also loved her four great-grandchildren: Blake, Meera, Bridger, and Thatcher (and one more (Charlotte) on the way.
 
 Rachael's family would like to acknowledge Covenant Living and Trusted Choice Elder Care for their compassionate care of Rachael. A celebration of Rachael's life will be held at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey Center, 679 Old Homestead Highway, on Sunday, March 17th at 4 p.m.
 
 In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial donations in Rachael's name be made to First Congregational Church of Swanzey at the above address.