Irma Jean Snyder

Irma Jean Snyder died peacefully surrounded by family under the compassionate care of the CMC staff in Colby, Kansas on February 19, 2015. Born Jean Garrett on Feb 7, 1925 in Levant Kansas, she had just celebrated her 90th birthday. She was Bill and Florence Garrett’s youngest of eight, and lived a childhood filled with family, friends, work, play, music, dancing and more than her fair share of attention.

Jean graduated as Salutatorian from Levant Kansas and married Bernard Snyder to whom she played an excellent Gracie to his George, Ginger Rogers to his Fred Astaire and would have given Donna Reed a good run for her money. Together they raised two daughters, Dixie Thompson (Jack Johnson) of Colby, Kansas and Diana Chiro (Joe Chiro) of Kenner, Louisiana. In her professional life, Jean was the first Colby Methodist church secretary and went on to work as the clerk to the wire chief at Southwestern Bell. After her telephone company retirement, she became the manager of Hershberger Music store and then as a greeter for F & M Bank.

Jean was lucky in love twice; after the death of her husband, she met Lyle Worthy. He said she was the most beautiful women he had ever seen and was a devoted companion for the rest of her life. They travelled extensively and wherever they went they would dance, even if they were the only people on the floor…Jean wasn’t bashful. They could often be seen taking rides around town and keeping a watchful eye over their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

It has been said more than once there will never be another like her…She was our Mid-west Southern Belle and Satin Doll all rolled into one and had the shoe collection to prove it. She loved music and played the piano by ear; she could often be heard whistling and might throw in a rooster crow or dog bark for good measure. Jean crocheted perfect afghans; if she found a mistake 100 rows back, she'd unravel past that point and start again. She was a self-proclaimed gad-about and loved visiting. A knock at her door was always met with a “yoo-hoo”. If you mentioned she might be repeating herself she’d say, "well, just be still because I'm going to tell you again”. Jean was a "thrifter" before thrifting was cool and had garage sales down to a science. She valued a dollar and always lived within her means. If you drank 1/2 a can of pop, the other flat 1/2 was waiting for you when you returned a few weeks later. She never had to purchase ketchup, crackers or salt...there is a lifetime supply of restaurant packets in her kitchen. She was our unwavering life cheerleader and always had words of encouragement tempered with some helpful observations.

She is mother to two; Grandma Jean aka Grawny aka Good-witch to four; great grandma to eight; great-great grandma to six and Aunt Jean to many. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, all her brothers and sisters and her husband Bernard Snyder.

The family would like to thank the outstanding caregivers at Deseret nursing home and Citizens Medical Center both in Colby, KS. They would check in on their days off and made time after work to stop and visit. Not only did they see to Jean’s comfort, but her family’s as well; Donations in Jean's memory can be given to both. Thank you to Baalmann Mortuary for being wonderful to work with and handling all the arrangements.

Jean played countless hands of bridge at Meadow Lake golf course and that’s where you can join her family to celebrate a life well-lived on Sunday, February 22 from 1:00 - 3:00. You can dance if you want to…Jean would.