Mom's Real Obit

You can only say so much in the newspaper. This one is much better.

Surrounded by her children, Margaret Ann Snodgrass took her final breaths in her Highland home Thursday morning, June 23^rd at the young age of 67. Her last moments were spent peacefully, feeling the touch and hearing the loving words of her daughter and three sons.

Margaret was born on April 4, 1944 in Santa Rosa, CA to Gladys and Arvie Laituri. She is the third of six children and is survived by each of her siblings Gloria, Joyce, Leslie, Janie, and John.  She left home at twenty to marry Jessie J. Snodgrass Jr. on December 30, 1964 at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. Margaret and her growing family followed Jessie’s military orders to South Carolina, Taiwan, the Philippines, Virginia, Texas, and eventually settled in Southern CA in 1979. Margaret was always a fulltime mother and housewife and at times worked outside of the home. She worked fulltime as a front office clerk for Barton Elementary for 18 years, retiring in 2008. She spent her few years of retirement with family, her dog, and with the latest Alex Cross novel, by James Patterson. Margaret’s passing comes at the hands of metastasized kidney cancer.

Margaret’s most important work can be seen every day in each of her four children. She consistently made it clear that her babies were the most important people in the world and she gave her life to raising and loving these fortunate individuals. She is survived by her four children and nearly 6 grandchildren: her daughter Brenda, wife of Paul, mother of Steve; Her son Michael, husband of Karie, father of Andrew and Amanda; her son Joshua, husband of Christina, father of Gracen and Sayler; and her son Terry, husband to Susan, expecting father. Margaret spent her life teaching her family lessons of loyalty, unconditional love, and how to go overboard for Christmas and birthdays.

On Wednesday June 29^th at 1:15, Margaret will be laid to rest with her husband at Riverside National Cemetery. As per Margaret’s requests there will be a brief yet formal graveside service followed by a casual memorial service and picnic at Sylvan Park, 730 Chapel St. Redlands, at 4:00. All family, friends, and loved ones are invited to both events and will be able to share a memory, read, sing, or give a speech at the park. Margaret will supply all of the food and beverages, guests can provide memories, love, and support. 

Donations to her favorite charities, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or the American Cancer Society may be made in her honor.