Dona Joy Snyder, 91, of Elmhurst, IL. and North Redington Beach, FL., passed away unexpectedly on March 16, 2024.
Dona was born on October 25, 1932 daughter of Eula Belle and Russell Hendrix. She was the devoted and adoring wife of John, “Tim” Snyder who predeceased her in 2015. Dona was a loving mother to Martha,”Muffie”, (Louie) SanFilippo. Dona had 2 grandchildren, Sofie and Nicky whom she loved very much. She also had the blessing of being “Big G” to all the SanFilippo cousins: Julia, Johnny, Frankie, Vince, Max, and Richie SanFilippo.
Dona grew up in Evanston, IL and went to Evanston Township High School and was a graduate of Northwestern University. She then went to University of Chicago where she received her Masters and PhD . She then worked in nursing at various hospitals and then was a Professor at Loyola University of Chicago where she taught nursing. She then started the Graduate program for Nursing which she was honored for at a special banquet in her honor in 2002. Her full Vitae is very extensive and quite impressive. It includes writing and publishing her works and receiving many grants for her organizations. She was very passionate about her career while being the best loving and attentive Mother to Muffie.
She and Tim raised Muffie primarily in Glen Ellyn, IL. and then they retired to their “favorite place”, North Redington Beach in Florida. They lived in a great community across from the Gulf of Mexico and had many friends and loved to socialize and have lunch at their favorite restaurant, Frog Pond. Dona and Tim loved their grandchildren and were their biggest fans for Sofie’s competitive dance, and Nicky’s hockey.
After Tim passed away in 2015, Dona and her beloved Persian cat, Bella, moved in with Muffie and her family in Elmhurst. She loved having quality time with her grandchildren and watching them grow up.
She and Muffie loved to go out to lunch at Pazzi, Stray Hen, Gibson’s, and Greek Islands to name a few. She also loved going to the Annual Irish Fellowship Luncheon during the holidays and seeing “Sister Jean”, from Loyola there. Dona loved the Blackhawks but her grandson’s York Hockey team was her favorite. She was so proud of them making it 2 years in a row to the United Center for the State Championship. She also loved watching her granddaughter grow in her exciting career in LA.
Dona will be forever missed by her daughter and all who loved her. To my Mother in Heaven, thank you for always loving me and guiding me. Even though you are no longer here with me I can still feel your love guiding me. You are always in my heart. I love you and miss you dearly, but now you are at peace with Dad.
