08/22/08 - NNHS Newsletter -
Anna Hallett Sniffen

Anna Hallett Sniffen
(4 Nov 1913 - 17 Aug 2008)

Newport News High School Class of 1931

READFIELD, Maine - Anna Hallett Sniffen died on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008, at her home of the last several years in Maine.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Scott Sniffen.

She is survived by her son, Tim, and daughter-in-law, Luvia, of Readfield, Maine; by her daughter, Anne, and son-in-law, Ward Cates, of Center Valley, Pa.; and also by her grandchildren, Matthew Sniffen, Benjamin Sniffen, Peter Sniffen and Katherine Cates. She had three great-granddaughters, Claire, Emily, and Hannah, as well as a nephew, several cousins, and their families, all much loved.

Anna Hallett Sniffen

Anna Hallett was born in rural Nottoway County, Va., on Nov. 4, 1913, the daughter of C. H. Spurgeon Hallett and Charlotte Langslow. Her mother died when Anna was only three, and Spur later married Martha Gentry who raised Anna and her brothers, Stuart and Horace Hallett, in Newport News. She graduated from Newport News High School in 1931, valedictorian of her class, followed by graduation from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond in 1935. Upon graduation, Anna taught, first at Hilton Elementary School, then at Newport News High School, followed by a position at the Langley Air Force Base School, and later at the Robert Sugden School in Hampton. In later years, she worked as a teacher and tutor of home-bound students.
Anna married Harold Sniffen in June of 1940. Their marriage was a loving partnership which created a secure home for their two children, and also sustained each other for 56 years. She cherished her family ties to England, but also loved Tidewater Virginia, particularly her home in the Chesapeake Avenue neighborhood of Hampton.

Anna's adult life was marked by service to her community. She was on the boards of both the Community Concerts and the Peninsula Symphony Orchestra. She was president of the Peninsula Chapter of the YWCA and a member of the Pembroke Garden Club. She volunteered at the Hampton Public Library and worked regularly at the Riverside Rehabilitation Institute gift shop in her later years, which was very rewarding for her.

Through much of her life, she was active in the Episcopal Church. Anna was a founding member of Grace Church, Newport News, later joining St. John's Church in Hampton. She served as president of both the Episcopal Church Women of the Diocese of Southern Virginia and of the Church Women of Province III. She was named one of ten church women of the year at the Forty-first Triennial Meeting of the National Episcopal Church Women. Anna was active in the National Cathedral Association and the Church Periodical Club.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m., Sept. 13, at St. John's Church, Hampton, the Rev. Donna-Mae Siderius officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her name may be sent to Jackson Feild Homes, 546 Walnut Grove Drive, Jarratt, VA 23867, or to a charity of your choosing. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at
dailypress.com/guestbooks.

Published in the Daily Press on 8/22/2008.
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