is a
Fictional Character on the
American Soap Opera ''
As The World Turns ''. The character was originated in
1985 by actress
Kathleen Widdoes , who continues to appear on the program. Since Emma's inception (and that of her large rural family), she has become a modern matriarch for the long-running serial, destined to follow in the footsteps of
Nancy Hughes .
When Emma and the Snyders were first introduced, only Emma and her two youngest children, teenagers Holden and Meg, were in town. They lived on the family farm in the rural community of Luther's Corners, which is situated just out of
Oakdale, Illinois . Emma had raised all of her children single-handedly since the passing of her beloved husband Harvey and one by one, they all moved away as they grew older. One daughter, Iva, ran away from home when she was only 13. While Holden and Meg fell into romantic dramas (Holden was interested in rich girl Lily Walsh, who was Meg's competition for Dusty Donovan), Emma continued to wait for Iva to return. The oldest Snyder daughter finally came home, but Emma wasn't so accepting of her sudden reappreance. She treated Iva coldly, but then the truth came out. Iva revealed that the reason she ran away all those years ago was because she was pregnant. While visiting relatives in Kansas, her cousin Josh Snyder raped her. The entire family was shocked. Further complicating things, it turned out that Iva and Josh's child was Lily, Holden's girlfriend. Holden and Lily's relationship was put into an awkward position, but even more secrets came out. Emma announced that Iva was adopted and so was Josh, meaning that Lily was not a Snyder after all and in no way related to Holden.
Emma tried her best to keep these dysfunctional truths under control. She was overjoyed when her other children, including oldest son Seth, and middle siblings Caleb and Ellie, returned to the farm. Like Holden, Meg, and Iva, they too had their romantic dilemmas. Emma, a wise and devoted mother, was always there to give her children the sage advice that they needed and the unconditional support that they needed even more. She was perfectly content without a man in her life. But love ended up knocking on her door and she soon found herself in the same sort of situations as her children. Dr. John Dixon, a respected physician and ladies' man, romanced Emma, but at the same time, she was the object of Cal Stricklyn's affections. Emma decided that John was too debonair for her and settled for Cal. They eventually broke up. Emma became the author of romance novels and fell for her publisher Ned Simon before he was arrested for murder.
Emma's cozy farmhouse has been and continues to be sort of a bed and breakfast for close family and friends who need a place to stay in town. Meg (who married a reformed Josh and left town) returned to the farm in 2005 and took up residence in her childhood home while Jack, Emma's nephew, currently lives there while he is divorced from Carly Tenney. Emma continues to be a source of advice and love for her whole family, including grandson Luke. When Emma learned that Luke is gay, she was more concerned by the fact that Holden did not trust her enough to tell her sooner. Also, she voiced disapproval when Meg became involved with the shady Paul Ryan. Nevertheless, Emma always assures her children and grandchildren that her home is their home and that they are always, always welcomed.
Emma currently lives at the farm with daughter
Meg Snyder , nephews
Brad Snyder and
Jack Snyder , as well as Jack's three kids
Parker Munson ,
J.J. Larrabee and
Sage Snyder .
- Brad Snyder (nephew)
- Jack Snyder (nephew)
: Widowed by Harvey Snyder
- John Dixon
- Cal Stricklyn
- Ned Simon
- Lily Walsh Snyder (Adopted Grandaughter, via Iva)
- Rose D'Angelo (Adopted Granddaughter, via Iva, deceased)
- Matthew "MJ" Dixon (Grandson, via Iva)
- Abigail "Abby" Williams (Granddaughter, via Holden)
- Aaron Snyder (Grandson, via Holden)
- Luciano "Luke" Snyder (Adopted Grandson, via Holden)
- Faith Snyder (Granddaughter, via Holden)
- Natalie Snyder (Granddaughter, via Holden)
- Ethan Snyder (Grandson, via Holden)
Emma Snyder
