Marron H. Snead

Marron H. Snead, of Scottsdale, AZ, died Friday, January 1, 2021 at the age of 84. Mrs. Snead was a dedicated wife, mother, and artist. Born in Toledo, OH, and raised in Elm Grove, WI, she was active in the arts from an early age, including theater, and singing. During WWII the family relocated several times until joining her grandparents in Pasadena, CA when her father was deployed overseas. During this time, Marron was cast as an extra in an Our Gang (aka Little Rascals) film short. After the war, the family returned to Wisconsin. Mrs. Snead attended Lake Forest College, in Chicago, and then the University of Wisconsin, at Madison, where she studied Art and English and was a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She met her husband, Charles when he was taking summer classes at UW Madison and they were married in February of 1959. She and Charles then relocated to Charlottesville, VA, for her husband's law studies at the University of Virginia. She occupied herself by working in the department of Political Science and Foreign Affairs until Charles's graduation in 1959. They next moved to Bronxville, NY, as Mr. Snead became employed in New York City. Their family began with a son in 1960, a daughter in 1962, and another son in 1967. A lifelong learner, Mrs. Snead took courses at colleges throughout her life, including at Sarah Lawrence College, where she also volunteered extensively at the hospital. She was also a member of a local music therapy singing group, "The Song Pipers". Looking for more space and a country lifestyle, the family moved to the historic Silvermine district of Wilton, CT In 1969. Aside from the demands of raising three young children and running the household, she supported her husband's career by entertaining and accompanying him on business travel. She continued pursuing her painting and joined the Silvermine Guild of Artists, where she also took classes. Her work appeared in several juried shows there, winning awards. In her youth, Marron had won a national award for one of her poems, and, in 1970, she realized one of her dreams of publishing a book of her collected poems, entitled Serendipity. The Sneads then moved to nearby New Canaan, CT for six years before her husband's business relocated to Phoenix, AZ in 1980. Marron embraced the beauty of the west which was reflected in her paintings. She continued her volunteering and was heavily involved with the local Junior League, as she had been in CT. She and her husband were influential members of the Phoenix Art Museum and active members of the Phoenix Symphony. Over the next four decades, the Sneads called Paradise Valley, Carefree and Scottsdale, AZ home. In Carefree, working with an architect, she envisioned their custom home, which later won an architectural award for blending with environment. From the mid-1990s the Sneads also resided in La Jolla, CA, during the summers, visiting with family and friends and were members of the La Jolla Art Museum, where Marron took plein-air painting classes that reflected her passion for the ocean. She also volunteered at Scripps Mercy Hospital, La Jolla over the years. She and her husband always enjoyed the traditional 4th of July celebration. Mrs. Snead was preceded in death by her loving husband Charles, just two months prior. She is survived by children: Charles D. Snead of Milpitas, CA, Holly M. Snead of Portland, OR and John O. Snead of San Diego, CA and three grandchildren. Marron loved her family, and it was her pride and joy. She gave back to her community through extensive service. She saw life from an artist's view and enjoyed her creative time alone, and she appreciated social engagement with friends and discussing the most recent book she was reading. She approached life with a consistent, sometimes wry, wit. Her indomitable intellect and spirit will be dearly missed by her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her well.

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