Willa Jean Snyder

87, died Friday, March 27th at the Serenity Hospice surrounded by her loving family.  Jean was born June 10, 1927 to Willard Arthur Wright, M.D. and Hazel Wane Irons Wright in Winnipeg, Canada.  She grew up in Williston, North Dakota with her sister Patricia “Bubby” and brother David.  In high school, Jean met the love of her life in band class when she (Jean), the worst saxophone player, sat next to Fritz Snyder, the best trumpet player.  After WWII Jean attended Stephen’s College in Columbia, MO, became a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and graduated from the University of North Dakota in 1949.

Jean and Frederick “Fritz” Preston Snyder were married in 1949. Together they persevered through 10 years of medical school and the birth of 4 girls until they moved to Phoenix, AZ to establish an orthopedic practice and build their life-long home in the Arcadia neighborhood. Jean volunteered her time as a member of the Visiting Nurses, the St. Luke’s Board of Visitors, and the Desert Fountain Auxiliary; but her greatest joy was her four daughters.

Jean is survived by three daughters, Anne Gavras (Chris), Cindi Clymer (Bruce), and Janet Coleman (Jay); seven grandsons, Danny (Helga), Voss, and James (Melanie) Speros, Tim and Hatch Clymer, Conor and Brendan Coleman; one granddaughter, Maria Fiorillo (Mike); and three great grandchildren, Sophia, Amalea and Alexander. Her husband of 39 years died in 1988, and their daughter Martha died in 2011.

The family is planning a private family celebration of Jean

’

s life. Arrangements entrusted to Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home and Post Scripts by Posey. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Serenity Hospice Foundation, 7227 North 16

th

Street, Suite 170, Phx, AZ 85020 or Grace Hospice, 2141 E. Broadway Road, Suite 100, Tempe, AZ 85282.