Wendy Dawn Snetsinger

Wendy Dawn Rigler Snetsinger passed away peacefully Sunday September 14, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her parents Jeannette and Arthur Rigler, sister Regina Ellen Rigler, daughter Clare Dahlia Snetsinger and husband Robert John Snetsinger. She is survived by her daughter Laurel Snetsinger, son-in-law Richard Allen, and boyfriend Frank Hanson.

Wendy grew up in Chicago, IL and began studying art at an early age. She attended the University of Illinois and majored in fine arts. In her junior year she married her college sweetheart and transferred to Penn State University in State College in 1960. Wendy earned a B.S. in Art Education and then taught art in the State College public schools for several years. During this time she continued her own painting practice and participated in many juried, non-juried, and solo art shows.

In 1968 Wendy was one of the founding members of the Art Alliance of Central PA, an art organization that continues to this day in Lemont PA. She is also a member and registered artist of the Bellefonte Art Museum. Over the years she has participated as an "artist in action" at various art events.

After her daughter Clare died of cancer at age 17, Wendy went back to Penn State University for a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems and became an adjunct professor in her department.

Wendy also became a Master Gardener and helped form the Snetsinger Butterfly Garden at Tom Tudek Memorial Park in State College. This 3-acre garden was founded by Wendy's husband Bob ("Butterfly Bob") and flourishes to this day thanks to the help of the Master Gardeners.

Wendy was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County and served as chairman of the Aesthetics Committee. She was an avid reader and member of two book clubs. Anyone meeting her would find a very personable woman who seemingly had an amazing gift to be able to light up the room and make you feel you were the most important person in the world.

One of the hallmarks of Wendy's life history is service to the next generation, especially to the less fortunate. One of Bob and Wendy's lasting achievements was starting the Clare Fund for scholarships and grants to exceptional students, named in honor of their cancer-stricken daughter. Wendy has been a member of the review committee since its inception. The Clare Fund is currently managed by the Centre Foundation, an organization that has directed more than $450,000 to 198 exceptional Center County students in the past year.

A Celebration of Life for Wendy will be held Saturday November 15 at 10:00 a.m. in the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 780 Waupelani Drive, State College, PA

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Art Alliance of Central PA, 818 Pike St., Lemont, PA 16851 at https://artallianceofcentralpa.org or the Bellefonte Art Museum, 133 N. Allegheny St., Bellefonte, PA 16823 at https://bellefontemuseum.org/support-bam