Obituary of Martha A. Tracy Schnars

Martha A. Tracy Schnars, 55, of 19 Cobbe Circle, W.E. passed away at 8:20 p.m. Friday (January 18, 2013) in her home surrounded by her loving family. A lifelong area resident she was born June 15, 1957 in Jamestown, NY a daughter of the late Dr. William J. and Dorothy Nugent Tracy, Jr. Martha was a 1975 graduate of Jamestown High School and a 1994 graduate of Jamestown Community College. She earned her Bachelor's of Science Degree, summa cum laude, from Buffalo State College in 1997. She immediately began working as a counselor in the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Unit at W.C.A. Hospital. For many years she functioned as a New York State Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Counselor III and still held that position at the time of her passing. She was a very caring and concerned professional and highly regarded by her peers and the individuals she counseled over the past 16 years. She was truly a unique individual and to know her was to truly love her. Martha loved her annual vacations to Hutchinson Island Florida with Jim. (Thank You Mr. Anderson). She loved the beautiful beaches, many varieties of wildlife including the mammoth sea turtles which nestled on all of the beaches and she just loved the peace and tranquility of the island. Martha had a lifelong love affair with animals and actively supported many of the organizations established to protect and care for them. Her extended family includes Jacko the parrot (35 years), Barney the cat (11 years), and Phoebe the Corgi puppy (4 years). Surviving are her husband James W. Schnars whom she married August 4, 2001, a sister Lance Tracy, a brother John F. Tracy, her brother in law Bob Bergquist all of Jamestown, three step children, Lori Schnars (Sterling) Pollaro of Jamestown, Martin Schnars of Jamestown, Mark Schnars of Charlotte, NC, nine step grandchildren, Nicole Prinzi of Troy, NY, Ryan (Ashley) Prinzi of Jamestown, Tony Pollaro of Titusville, PA, Shelly Davis of Corry, PA, Seth and Hanna Schnars both of Ft. Myers, FL, Joshua, Kirsten, and Emily Schnars all of Charlotte, NC and one step great granddaughter Lexi Prinzi. Besides her parents she was preceded in death by a sister Mary Tracy Bergquist and a brother William Tracy. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Steve Kilburn of the Zion Covenant Church will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Tranquility Columbarium at Sunset Hill Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Monday in the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Pick of the Litter, 1805 East Elmwood Ave. Falconer, NY 14733 or to the Chautauqua County Humane Society, 2825 Strunk Rd. Jamestown, NY 14701, Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750, St. Susan Center, P.O. Box 1276, Jamestown, NY 14702 or to the W.C.A. Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 214, Jamestown, NY 14702.