A Life Still in Bloom

At Cedarhurst of Dyer, resident Geraldine “Gerry” Snodgrass isn’t just participating, she’s leading. With the same enthusiasm and compassion that marked her 24-year teaching career, Gerry now inspires her fellow residents through art, history, and heartfelt conversation. To meet her is to understand that purpose doesn't retire; it evolves.

Born and raised in the vibrant and gritty neighborhoods of Gary, Indiana, Gerry’s early years were shaped by hard work and open-mindedness. Her family ran a small grocery store, where she began working at the age of nine. The Snodgrass home, nestled among steel mills and soda plants, was a hub of interaction with people from all walks of life. “My family was very liberal,” she recalls. “We learned about people, their stories, and traditions. That stuck with me.”

Her passion for history and storytelling was further fueled by her grandparents, immigrants from Romania and Yugoslavia. Their old-world customs, cuisine, and language sparked an early interest in genealogy - an interest that later blossomed into a full-fledged educational project for her fourth-grade students. “We explored family roots and ended it with a luncheon where each child brought a traditional dish. It was magical,” she says, smiling at the memory.

Though higher education wasn't initially in reach - “Money was saved for my brother; he was going to support a family”- Gerry carved her own path. She attended Indiana University Northwest and paid her way with work and determination. At age 35, with three sons at home, she returned to college to complete her teaching degree, and soon after, entered the classroom full-time. “I always wanted to be a teacher,” she says. “And when technology came in, my students taught me! I just had to keep up."

Art, however, came later. “I had no talent,” she says with a laugh. But encouragement from a student’s father, a professional artist, led to lessons - and a new passion. “I dragged my husband and sister into classes too,” she chuckles. Landscapes, flowers, and lighthouses now line her apartment walls, each brushstroke filled with discovery. “I’m a late bloomer,” she admits, “but I’ve loved every minute.”

Now at Cedarhurst, Gerry brings her lifelong love of learning and creativity to those around her. Whether she’s facilitating an Art Appreciation Talk, organizing History Club discussions, or dreaming up new initiatives like a peer group called Talk About Life, Gerry exudes an infectious joy and a sincere desire to connect.

"If I can make someone laugh, or help them feel a little more alive today, that’s everything."
- Geraldine Snodgrass

“I’m not doing anything special,” she insists. “I just know how powerful it is when someone feels seen and heard.” But ask around, and you’ll find residents gravitating toward her. One recent convert to her Art Appreciation Talk had previously claimed to “hate art.” Now, she rarely misses a session.

Gerry’s goal is simple: spark curiosity. “Maybe someone never got the chance to try something new,” she says. “Maybe today is the day they do.”

Photos of former students and gifts from grateful families fill Gerry’s apartment, a testament to the many lives she’s touched. One especially poignant story involves a ceramic platter decorated with irises. While browsing an art gallery years after retiring, she spotted the platter and instantly recognized the artist’s name - Jennifer, a student she’d once mentored into an art scholarship. The piece now hangs proudly in her home, a full-circle moment of impact and inspiration.

Gerry’s leadership at Cedarhurst grew naturally from her teacher’s heart. “People need to talk,” she says simply. “Sometimes, all it takes is one conversation to remind someone they still matter, still have something to give.” For her, these groups are not just social - they’re emotional and intellectual lifelines.

Her giving spirit extends beyond campus walls. In her younger years, she volunteered through her local Women’s Club, organizing events for children with vision loss and those in mental health facilities. “I just wanted to bring joy - to make even one day brighter for someone.”

That same mission continues today, whether she’s helping residents revisit memories, learn something new, or just share a laugh at lunch. “God gave me this time,” she says. “And I’m going to use it.”

To anyone hesitant about senior living, she offers this wisdom:

“Give it time. Look around. I didn’t want to be here at first, but then I realized - this place, these people, this chance - it’s a gift.”

As she reflects on her journey, what she’s most proud of is not a single achievement, but the relationships she’s built and the sparks she continues to light. “If I can make someone laugh, or help them feel a little more alive today, that’s everything.”

At Cedarhurst of Dyer, Gerry Snodgrass proves that even in your later chapters, your story can still inspire others - and that life, like art, is always a work in progress.

This story originally appeared in the Summer 2025 issue of Flourish^®  Magazine.

About the Author

Ryan Davis is the Corporate Communications Manager at Cedarhurst Senior Living and the writer behind every story in Flourish^® magazine. He holds a Communications degree from Indiana University and brings 19 years of experience to his role, which he began in January 2024. Ryan is passionate about storytelling, especially sharing the meaningful lives of Cedarhurst residents, families, and staff. He hopes each published story becomes a treasured legacy for loved ones.