Jo Ann Snyder

SNYDER, Jo Ann. Age 89. May 2, 2025.
Loving wife of the late Richard J. Snyder. Beloved mother of Jackie (Michael) Thorsby, Mary Snyder and William (Sheila) Snyder. Cherished grandmother of RC (Jamie) Thorsby, Andrew (Kelly) Thorsby, Matthew (Kelsey) Thorsby, Tara (Adam) Leisten, Troy Vermandere, Kelsey (Kyle) Turner, Carli Snyder and Cale Snyder. Proud great-grandmother of Sawyer, Harper and Sterling. Preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Fern "Peg" Smith; and siblings Stanley (Marilyn) Smith, Richard Smith, Donna (Ed) Krotzer and Robert (Irene) Smith.
Jo Ann Snyder, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend passed away peacefully on Friday, May 2, 2025. She was 89 years old. Jo Ann Smith was born on 4 February, 1936, in Alma, Michigan, to the late Stanley C. and Fern "Peg" (Glick) Smith. She grew up as the youngest of five siblings in a family that loved to gather around the kitchen table to play cards and laugh. Jo Ann graduated from Midland High School and earned her bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University. While pursuing her educational dream of becoming a teacher, she met the love of her life, Richard "Dick" Snyder, a fellow student at CMU. They were married on June 14, 1958. Jo Ann was a passionate educator who taught kindergarten, 8th grade honors English, and many grades in between. She retired as a much loved middle school librarian.
Jo Ann was the loving mother of three active children, and the supportive wife of "Coach Snyder" at Warren Fitzgerald School High School. During Basketball or Football season you could almost always find Jo Ann sitting in the stands, with their children, cheering on the school's team!
Typical of a librarian, Jo Ann had an insatiable appetite for reading. She loved books and loved teaching others to read. She was very active in supporting her church (First United Methodist Church of Warren) through the Layette Ministry, mission work, VBS, and as a lay reader. She even was a Girl Scout Leader for her daughters' troop. Jo Ann loved traveling with family and friends, she had a passion for the theater and arts, was an accomplished seamstress, and was always a highly sought after partner for Euchre games! She left her indelible mark on this world through her professional demeanor, poise and grace, along with an infectious friendship to all.
After being widowed, Jo Ann met widower Richard Berryman. Together they traveled, spent time at his cottage, and enjoyed time with grandchildren. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Always the teacher, sharing her love of reading and learning.
Surviving are her two daughters and a son: Jackie (Michael) Thorsby; Mary Snyder: William "Bill" (Sheila) Snyder; eight grandchildren: Richard "R.C." (Jamie) Thorsby; Andrew (Kelly) Thorsby; Matthew (Kelsey) Thorsby; Tara (Adam) Leisten; Troy Vermandere; Kelsey (Kyle) Turner; Carli Snyder; Cale Snyder; three great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Harper, and Sterling Thorsby; brother-in-law Gerald "Jerry" (Betty) Snyder; along with numerous, and dear to her, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard J. Snyder; parents Stanley and Fern Smith, and siblings: Stanley "Ted" (Marilyn) Smith; Richard (Helen) Smith; Donna (Ed) Krotzer; Robert "Bud" (Irene) Smith.
Honoring Jo Ann's wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday June 7, 2025 at First United Methodist Church of Warren, 5005 Chicago Rd, Warren, MI. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the church on Saturday from 9:00a.m. until the service. A luncheon, at the church, will immediately follow the service.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider memorials to MCREST, the Layette Ministry at First United Methodist Church, Family Youth Interventions of Mt Clemens, or UMCOR (United Methodist Committee On Relief).
Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the memorial service or through the Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons web site: WujekCalcaterra.com