Joan M. Snell, was born June 11, 1930 and she was raised in Chicago by Augusta, nee Goody, and John King with her sisters, Lois, Pat, Sandie and Kathy. On Sept. 30, 1950 she married Bob Snell, who had proclaimed her the prettiest girl he had ever seen! Together through 55 years of marriage, they raised four children, Bob (Christine) of Batavia, IL, Carol (Steve) Colson of Kansas City, MO, Rick (Pam) Snell of Wheaton, IL and Karen of the home. After residing many years in Hillside, Joan found her slice of heaven in Shady Lane Estates in Downers Grove. Here, countless holiday and birthday memories were made with the picture of Mom bustling around the kitchen in her apron making sure everything was perfect. Her grandchildren, David (Jodie), Erin, Jessica, Robert, Katie and Elizabeth were a great source of joy and she was doubly blessed with great-grandchildren, Zach, Emma and Chloe. She was also a beloved aunt and friend. The one constant throughout her adult life was the “Club”-lifelong friends who never missed their poker nights. She enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and the local boats and, in more recent years, to Palm Springs, CA. She kept in touch with high school friends and had a special friendship with Helen Perri, her backdoor neighbor from Hillside. Diagnosed with colon cancer in 2003, she fought the good fight to battle the nasty disease. On June 1, 2006, the battle was won. Throughout this time, her daughter Karen was her angel, not only helping attend to her medical needs, but also encouraging her to enjoy life. The years that followed were filled with travel and other pleasures and it was a blessing that she felt better than she had in recent memory! Her quality of life was also enhanced through the compassionate care of Dr. Patricia Steinecker and her staff, Kathy and Susan. In memory, Joan would encourage anyone over 50 to have a colonoscopy. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation are suggested in memory of Joan to honor her daughter, daughter-in-law and sister-in-law who have battled this disease so that her granddaughters and great-granddaughters won’t have to. Visitation Sunday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Funeral Service Monday 10 a.m. at Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St., (1 block S. of Ogden), Downers Grove. Interment Glen Oak Cemetery. 630-968-1000 or www.adamswinterfieldsullivan.com
