Janet Mary Snow

It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of our dear Momma, Janet Mary Snow (nee Tilley) at the age of 84 in Cambridge. On Monday, April 7, 2025, our dad and dear brother Donny came down from heaven to take her by the hands and lead her into the clouds. She was surrounded by the people she loved most – Debbie & Angelo, Sherrie, Sherry and her six grandchildren.

Momma will be lovingly remembered by her two daughters Debbie and husband Angelo Donatelli and Sherrie Snow; Daughter-in-Law Sherry Snow; her six cherished grandchildren Julia (Shaun), Jennica (Simon), Chloe (Riley), Max Donatelli, and Paige & Gracie Snow; Sister-in-Laws Rosalind (Frank) Abily, Linda Snow; Brother-in-Laws Lorne (Melita) Snow, Derrick (Loretta) Snow; many treasured nieces, nephews, close friends Wayne and Sandy and many other dear friends. We can’t forget her fur great grand puppy Kaia who loved her Nana as she always knew she would sneak her good treats.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 60 years, David Snow, cherished son Donald “Donny”; she was the last of her 10 siblings Jack (Leah), Herb (Cassie), Ken (Rose), Gordon (Doris), Bernice (Edgar) Rogers, Jean (Jim) Harnum, Floss (Guy) Evans, Fred (Annetta), Warrick (Joan), Charlie (Ethel); Sister-in-Law Elizabeth (Frank) Finlayson, Brother-in-Law Bob (Kathy) Snow; Parents William & Annie Tilley (nee Hederson); Parents-in-Law Maxwell & Mary Jane Snow (nee Bright).

Our Momma was born in Buchans, Newfoundland on February 9, 1941. After marrying our dad, they eventually moved the family to Ontario where they spent the remainder of their life. Mom devoted her life taking care of her own children as well as those of many others.

Over the years she babysat well over 100 kids. She treated them like they were her own and they loved her like their own mother often not wanting to leave at the end of the day. It was a piece of cake for her to pile five little ones in the car to take them grocery shopping.

Baking homemade bread and getting their little hands to help was a treasure to watch.

Mom loved the trailer at West Montrose family campground where she spent the last 45 years. Always looking forward to the summer where she could enjoy campfires, gardening, bingo, strolls down to the river on her “Camping Queen” scooter but most of all the friendships she made along the way.

Growing up our friends and her friends all called her Ma. She was Momma to everyone. She had many nicknames over the years; Ma, Momma, Ma Till, Jenny, Jeanette but the one she cherished most was Nana. She was proud to be a Nana and treasured each of her six grandchildren. She helped mold them to be kind, caring, creative, and fun-loving young adults.

Our family creativity came from Mom. She could knit, sew, cook, bake, and craft. She could make magic with those hands. Her generosity and kindness were a big part of her personality that made people drawn to her. We are certain that everyone she met either left with a pair of slippers, mitts or hat or all three. She had the biggest heart, a great sense of humor and the most positive outlook on life.

We are all honoured to have been a part of her life. Memories we made over the years will be cherished for our lifetime. Until we meet again Momma – we Love you.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the ICU nursing staff Preet, Gladys and Rebecca at Cambridge Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion during Momma’s last moments of life.

Memorial donations may be made in Janet’s name to the Canadian Lung Association.

Funeral arrangements for have been entrusted to Coutts Funeral Home located at 96 St. Andrews Street in Cambridge.

Visitation is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2025, from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.A celebration of her life will take place in the Chapel on Monday, April 14, 2025, at 2 pm with one hour of visitation from 1-2 pm.

Refreshments will be served in the reception room following her celebration.

Eulogies

My Momma

She wasn’t just my mom she was my best friend. She was a wonderful friend to anyone that knew her. You might have known her a lifetime or just met her an hour ago, but one thing was certain you were immediately drawn to her and felt special to be included in her life.

I have such fond memories of my childhood. We didn’t have a lot of money growing up, but we were rich in memories. We spent many sunny afternoons at Shade’s Mills with our close friends the Olivers. While swimming I remember jumping up on Momma’s fluffy bum and splashing into the water. We spent cold evenings sledding down Hill 60 and finished off with delicious treats and hot chocolate. She gave the best birthday parties that included all my friends – no one was excluded. She showed us what it meant to be kind and caring when she took the Martinez family under her wing when they moved their young family of 7 from Spain into the apartment building my parents were superintendent of. She held the role of mother figure for those that had lost their own. I know my friend Leslie appreciated her love over the years. I could go on for days with fond memories of our dear Momma but will leave you to your own unique memories.

Mom devoted her life taking care of my brother Donny, my sister Sherrie and myself. Over the years she continued that devotion babysitting well over 100 kids. She opened her door to anyone in need even at the last minute. The kids she babysat adored her. She kept them occupied with all kinds of activities from trips to the grocery store, crafts, baking, going to the park or just sitting to cuddle. They always went home with treats or a craft they made during the day but most of all they went home knowing that they were so loved and so special.

Growing up all my friends absolutely loved “Ma” as they called her. As teenagers the parties were endless at our house because Mom let us have a “few” drinks and maybe a little “weed”. She’d say, “if you are going to do things I don’t necessarily want you to do at least if you do them at home, I know you will be safe” and when the munchies kicked in, she was sure to feed us after telling us to get the hot knives off the stove.

I believe the stage of life Momma loved the most was one of being “Nana”. Before she had grandkids, I remember her saying about her friends that were already grandparents “they’re crazy, I don’t know what the big deal is” but that all changed when her first grandchild Julia was born followed by Jennica, Chloe, Paige, Gracie and Max. She then said, “I now get it”. The love she had for them was undeniable. When my sister-in-law and I went back to work mom offered to babysit but we just wanted her to be a Nana. In the end we couldn’t bear to leave our kids with anyone else knowing she was the most qualified.

She took such good care of them from making que cards with pictures and words to teach them to read, to feeding and bathing them, but most of all the cuddles of love she gave them. She was a big part of them turning into the fine young adults they are today.

In 2011 my dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and spent almost 8 years at Hilltop Manor. Mom visited him almost every single day making sure he was well taken care of. I can now hear my dad say, “here comes the big ass ma” and mom would just shake her head. She ensured he ate enough, was the best smelling man on his floor but most importantly ensuring he felt loved and not alone. She was kind to all the other residents on the floor. Bringing them little gifts or just chatting with them when they felt lonely.

Mom’s happy place was her trailer at West Montrose Family Campground. This year would have marked her 45th year camping at the exact same lot it all started out in. Always a good party with lots of shenanigans happening. The endless sambuca Jello shooters will never be forgotten. She shared the love of camping with her children and grandchildren, and we will cherish those memories and continue to make new ones. The friendships she made along the way, Wayne and Sandy, Art and Debbie, Pat and Johnny. She cherished her chats and visits with all of them. It won’t be the same without her, but I know she would want us to enjoy the trailer as much as she did.

Mom looked forward to her telephone chats with her nieces Susanne, Kim, and Lynn, her nephew Roy and her dear friend May. She wasn’t a woman of many words but when she got on the phone with them, she could talk for hours.

Mom had a quiet sense of humour. Some of the things that came out of her mouth would shock us while at the same time make us laugh hysterically. She was the life of the party always ensuring everyone had the things they liked whether it be a special food or drink - she remembered and had it waiting for them.

I’m sad that Momma will miss her grandkids getting married and having children of their own, but I know she will be there in spirit cheering them on, giving them the love they need to get through anything life throws at them. She loved the girls’ choices in romance. Shaun, Simon and Riley you held a special spot in her heart. If I can be half the mom to my own children, that she was to me and my siblings, I know I will have succeeded as a parent.

For the past three plus years since my retirement, I was fortunate to have spent every living day taking care of her and being her friend. Making sure she ate well, took all her medications and attended all her appointments. She said I was the spreadsheet tracking queen. She often said that our roles were reversed - I was the Momma, and she was the daughter. It was my honour to have taken care of her and I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Momma never asked for anything in life – she was a giver – but one day she said, “I’d like to go to PEI and eat all that great food”, so I made it happen, and glad Julia and I took her on a 17-day girls road trip there. A memory we will cherish and I’m sure she did as well.

I don’t know what my life looks like without her, but I know she would want me and everyone else in my family to carry on with our lives not taking anything for granted because tomorrow is not promised.

I’m going to steal this from my future son-in-law, Shaun, who summed it up in one sentence… “For people who knew her and got to spend time with her there will always be a Nan shaped piece missing”.

On behalf of my sister Sherrie and the entire family we want to thank you for your support and kindness during this difficult time in our lives.

Rest easy Momma, give kisses and hugs to Daddy and Donny - until we all meet again. I love you forever and always. Love Debbie

I’m a Nanny’s girl.

Ever since I was little my nana has always been my favourite person. She is one of a kind, the heart and soul of my family, and the most wonderful person.

She is kind, compassionate, quietly funny, full of unexpected jokes and sayings, fun, and so incredibly loving.

When I was little my grandpa got diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He spent the summer at home while waiting for a spot to open at the nursing home. That summer I lived with them, helping any way I could.

Looking back now I am so thankful and honoured I was able to spend this precious time with them to witness the love my nana had for my grandpa. Although it was hard she took such good care of him and kept a positive attitude.

Every night we had the same routine. We would get grandpa settled for the night and then head to nana’s room. Nana slept at the head of the bed, and I slept at the foot. To fall asleep, she would either do a word search or read a story from her chicken soup for the soul books.

Eventually she got me hooked onto doing word searches and this is something we bonded over and I continue to do to this day. Nana always signed and dated when she completed her word searches and now, I do that as well.

When I was in grade 7 nana took me on a trip to Newfoundland. We spent time in Buchans where she was born. I was able to meet her sister “Nanny Jean”. I quickly found out how very much a like they were. They had the same qualities – loved to bake, knit, and very caring. We then went to Springdale to visit with her niece Susanne and got to hear some more stories about her sister Floss. Spending this precious time with nana and listening to all her childhood stories made me feel closer to her.

Now as a young adult I have come to appreciate my time with nana so much more. I never took her for granted. Last year Riley “my smoochie” and I spent every weekend at the trailer hanging out with her. We kept her safe while mom and dad were on vacation.

Her stories were many, but her love was endless. She really enjoyed sharing her happy place with us. This is a place that will hold a special spot in mine and Riley’s heart. We will treasure the memories we made there and will continue to make for years to come.

Life will never be the same. She has left a huge imprint on my life. Taught me so much about being kind, caring, and loving. I promise I will make you proud and will follow in your footsteps. Please visit my dreams and send all the hummingbirds – I love you, My Jenny Girl. Love Chloe