Mrs. Rita Corby Snurkowski

Rita J. Snurkowski, 100, of Tallahassee, Florida, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, while surrounded by those dear to her. Born on September 7, 1922, she was the daughter of Ernest A. Corby, Sr. and Emma C. Viens Corby, of blessed memory. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Charles Snurkowski; son, Charles S. Snurkowski; and brother, Ernest A. Corby, Jr. Mrs. Snurkowski was a world traveler who spoke French, Italian and Turkish. She was an excellent cook and each family member had their favorites. Proof of her culinary talents was her efforts to make all family favorites such as mushrooms in everything, chicken cacciatore, pumpkin pie and spare ribs and cabbage! She loved to garden and her pride and joy was her rose bush that survived the winter weather as well as her Angel Trumpet plants. Although private, she was hospitable and welcomed all with a warm smile. She loved to laugh and could always best you with a witty comeback. While Rita came from humble beginnings, she took on all life’s challenges and was one of the bravest ladies her husband and children ever knew. As a military wife, living in Africa and Turkey as well as numerous military bases throughout the United States, she built a loving home and ensured her children adapted to each culture and got to church and school on time. As a golfing widow, she also got her husband on the first tee on time; sometimes before dawn. The Snurkowskis moved to Tallahassee from Homestead, Florida in 1992 as a result of enduring the ravages of Hurricane Andrew. Rita took on her next challenge making Tallahassee their new home. She found the home of her dreams that included a swimming pool. Her next challenge was not to fear the water and to learn to swim. At 72, she became became an avid swimmer and would frequently swim until the sun went down. At age 85, her next challenge became technology. While she never conquered her flip top phone, she did acquire her own special knack on her Apple computer. She was a wiz at playing solitaire and “to her ruin” stayed too long at her computer emailing and learning what was happening on her favorite soaps. Her family would like you to know that she was a wonderful wife and the best mom. Her husband and children always came first. She taught her children right from wrong, taught them there were no limits to their dreams and ensured they were educated to succeed. And she succeeded! Survivors include her daughters, Carolyn M. Snurkowski and Nancy S. Hardison (husband, Richard A.); grandchildren, Charles Andrew Snurkowski (Faon) and Matthew Lee Snurkowski (wife, Lila J.); great-grandchildren, Emily Snurkowski, Kayleigh Ann Bendawald, Ava Snurkowski and Madison Snurkowski (twins) great-grandchild, Ember Rose Bendawald. Visitation is 1:00 PM, Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Abbey Funeral Home, with the funeral service beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment follows a Tallahassee Memory Gardens, Garden of Peace. Donations in her memory may be made to: Tunnel to Towers Foundation 2631 Hylan Boulevard Staten Island, New York 10306 www.t2t.org or The Wounded Warrior Project 4899 Belfort Road Jacksonville, Florida 32256 www.woundedwarriorproject.org The online guestbook and livestream service can be found at www.abbeyfh.com.

Mrs. Rita Corby Snurkowski

September 7, 1922 - April 25, 2023