A DEATH
HAS OCCURRED
Evans Funeral Home is assisting the Family
Obituary via Evans Funeral Home
Jean Ann (Buhrman) Snider, loving wife to Terry for 56 years, doting mother to Brandon (Travis Kramer), passed away peacefully at SEM Haven on October 20th, 2024. She was born on June 28th, 1946, at Mariemont Mercy Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio and, after a brief stint at Beech Acres orphanage, formally adopted by Oliver and Grace Buhrman, her mother’s sister and her husband. Later she would come to know two half-brothers on her father’s side, Jim and Jack Stankorb.
Jean grew up in Fairfax where she was known as a world-class babysitter when she wasn’t serving up treats at the Fairfax Swim Club Concession Stand or attending Fairfax Presbyterian Church. As a young woman at Mariemont High School, she developed a flair for fashion, making and styling her own clothes. Her impressive skills even garnered her a spot on the Shillito’s Sewing Board. While at MHS Jean was introduced to a Catholic guy from the other side of town named Terry Snider. He drove her around in his ’57 Chevrolet and they went on double dates with friends. Terry was mesmerized by Jean’s sweet personality. An undeniable spark developed between them.
After graduating high school Jean attended University of Cincinnati and earned an Associate Degree in Retail Merchandising. During that time she worked at Shillito’s in the Baby/Toddler/Boy’s Dept and, in her spare time, further developed her keen sense style. After college Jean worked at Delise’s Town Decorative, an interior design firm, Container Corp and, later, ILSCO. She and Terry continued their courtship during this time as their bond grew unshakable. Terry proposed on Christmas Day in 1965, the same day he was given his draft notice. After years of their love enduring from Cincinnati to Fort Knox, Jean and Terry finally tied the knot at Jean’s childhood church on July 27th, 1968.
Jean and Terry’s first decade together was spent with their travel club, jet-setting to Acapulco, Mexico City and St. Thomas, enjoying life as a married couple. Eventually, it was time to grow their family but there were risks present due to Jean’s arthritis. She’d been diagnosed with the disease as a little girl and it had hindered her physical body over time. Her spirit, however, was undeterred and Jean was nothing if not adaptable. Miraculously, in 1977, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Jean and Terry were overjoyed to start a new chapter with their son Brandon.
Jean’s hands grew harder to use but that didn’t stop her from making Brandon the most amazing Robin the Boy Wonder costume you could ever imagine. Nor did that stop her from cooking, sewing or going to her ceramics class. Eventually Jean would retire from the workforce to become a full-time homemaker and, when her mobility further decreased, she developed hacks that allowed her to do what she needed to do. Jean was a voracious consumer of information and read the paper cover-to-cover every single day, even as her sight slipped away due to retinitis pigmentosa. She despised cruelty, especially against animals, and did not take kindly to bullies. Jean was a practical person who preferred usefulness over extravagance. A frugal consumer who appreciated good service and let businesses know when they were doing something right. When the occasion called for it, she also let them know when they were doing something wrong especially with regard to accessibility. During Brandon’s high school years Jean suggested hosting an exchange student and the family soon welcomed Ingvild Hjortdhal into its ranks with open arms. She loved having another woman in the house to commiserate with. Jean loved the scent of lavender, had a weakness for dark chocolate and was on the Do Not Call List. Her laughter was infectious and sometimes so boisterous she could barely catch her breath.
Jean was a kind, sensitive soul but could be fierce when the occasion called for it. Though her body was fragile, her spirit was fortified. Her perseverance in the face of adversity was a constant inspiration to those around her. The people who loved her the most find joy in the thought that her spirit is now free from the physical form that tried so hard to stop her from doing the things that she loved. Jean’s legacy lives on in the people whose lives she touched through her grit and determination.
A service will be held on Monday, October 28th at 11:00am at Evans Funeral Home in Milford. A visitation will begin at 10:00AM. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to the Arthritis Foundation or the ASPCA.
Monday, October 28, 2024 at 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Evans Funeral Home
741 Center Street, Milford, OH 45150
Monday, October 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM
Evans Funeral Home
741 Center Street, Milford, OH 45150
Sign the Guest Book