Zona “Zee” Nadene (Austin) Snyder, passed away surrounded by loved ones on January 25, 2024 in Sonora, California at the age of 92. She was born on July 20, 1931 in Rosholt, Wisconsin to James Carl Austin and Pearle (Bestul) Austin. She grew up in a family of six during the Great Depression, in a two room brick house with a separate bathroom they had to trudge through the snow to use! It was a challenging time, but her family had a love of music that kept them going. In fact, every member of her family played multiple instruments! She was fortunate to have received such a rich musical heritage.

After finishing high school and working a few customer service jobs in Wisconsin, she and a girlfriend moved to California in search of new opportunities and adventures. In 1954, at 23, she met the love of her life, Hobart Dale “Duke” Snyder at Venice Beach. He was good looking and charming, and he quickly won her heart. They were married, settled down in the San Fernando Valley, and their family grew very quickly. (They had six kids in 9 years!) They spent much family time at the beach, and as a couple, enjoyed singing and golfing together. They were married for 54 years, until his death in 2008.

Her main career was raising her six rambunctious children, along with all the stray animals they brought home! Later in life, she did secretarial and personnel work for various organizations, and then provided office support for two creative pioneers: Peter Alsop, a musician and psychologist who wrote children’s songs that encouraged healthy emotional development, and Dr. William Glasser, a psychologist who developed “choice theory”, wrote several books, and was a popular public speaker. She seemed to enjoy working for these deep thinkers who taught about healthy relationships.

One of her greatest passions was her involvement in an organization called Sweet Adelines - an international women’s four part barbershop harmony organization. She was very involved with them for over 40 years! She was a member of the West Valley Chorus to begin with, and then sang with the Agoura Hills Harmony Chorus for many years. During her time in Sweet Adelines, she was an assistant director, director, musical arranger, vocal coach, and she competed in many successful quartets over the years. She was involved with several different choruses, and they provided a great place for her to make friends and use her many musical talents.

She and Duke retired, and moved to Bishop, California in 2001, where they spent their time singing, golfing, and playing gin rummy. Zona also got involved as a vocal coach for Playhouse 395, helping with productions such as Hello Dolly and South Pacific, and later became part of a local handbell choir. When health issues arose first for Duke, and later Zona, her son, Kurt Snyder, and his wife, Lisa faithfully took care of their needs, and for that, the rest of the family is eternally grateful.

She was a dedicated mom and wife, musically gifted, incredibly independent, (still lived on her own at 92!) and truly, a lover of all kinds of music. You could often find her whistling to the birds outside her window, playing beautiful tunes on her piano, or singing along with the stereo. She was also quite fond of cats, game shows, Rocky Road ice cream, crossword puzzles, and she had an adorable, infectious laugh. She instilled in her children a love of music and animals, and the value of being kind.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Duke Snyder, her parents, James and Pearl Austin, her sisters, Twylah Braaten and Shirley Kilday, and her brother, Gale Austin. She is survived by her six children, Douglas Snyder, Cynthia Snyder Woodbury, Randall Snyder, Kurt Snyder, Holly Snyder Zapp and Duke Snyder along with their spouses (Diane, Glenn, Debbie, Lisa, Dave, and Katina), 7 grandchildren (Noelle, Daniel, Heather, Ashley, Alexandra, Shelby and Nolan) and 2 great grandchildren (Grace and David).

She’ll be remembered as one who always had a song in her heart, was there for you whenever you needed her, and who found joy in the simplest things. There are many songs that will live in our hearts forever as treasured memories of time spent with her.

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A celebration of her life will be held Friday, July 19, 2024, 3:30 pm at Ascension Lutheran Church, 1600 E. Hillcrest Dr. , Thousand Oaks, CA 91362.

Reception immediately following at:

Duke and Katina Snyder’s

713 Quail View Ct, Oak Park, CA 91377

RSVP by 7/12/24 to Cyndi (209) 768-5058 or Katina (805) 551-6238

*** Event Will Be Live Streamed!! Go to alcto.org and click on Live Stream.***

Recording will be available on the Ascension Lutheran Church, YouTube page.

Please write down a favorite memory or two for a special keepsake book we’ll be creating. If you are unable to attend, but would like to share a special memory, please email to cyndilulu@sbcglobal.net, or mail to Cyndi Woodbury, 17128 Valley Oak Dr., Sonora, CA 95370. 

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