Jen Snyder (née Wells) was born in Twickenham, England, 89 years ago and passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Toronto, on Tuesday, August 26, 2025. She was predeceased by her beloved brother Patrick (2023) and is survived by her husband of 64 years, Hugh; her four children, Dalene (Robin), Jacqui , Derek (Karen), and Tom (Melanie); and seven grandchildren.

Jen’s life was as full as it was far-ranging. Educated in India, England, and Zimbabwe, she married Hugh in 1961 in Zimbabwe, where their two daughters were born. Their family grew in Namibia with the arrival of their two sons, before moving to Canada in 1970—first to Montreal, then Vancouver, and finally settling in Toronto in 1978.

A woman of wide talents and strong character, Jen was known to her children as a demanding mother (with one famously calling her a “fascist”), yet she poured her energy into nurturing both family and community. In Montreal and Vancouver, she became an accomplished potter and a docent at the Vancouver Aquarium. In Toronto, she turned to painting, working primarily through the Neilson Park Creative Centre. Her work was exhibited throughout the Toronto area and at the McMichael Gallery in Kleinburg, and she was invited to join the Canadian Society of Artists.She supported scholarships for emerging students at Neilson Park and for mature students at OCAD, and she welcomed struggling artists into her home, and purchased homes for those without the resources to do so.

Her life, however, was never defined by work alone. Jen was a fine raconteur who loved a good story, an amusing joke—or any joke for that matter—especially if accompanied by a gin and tonic. She found joy in adventure and travel: sailing along Canada’s west coast to Desolation Sound, cruising the Turkish coast, or exploring Belize and the Virgin Islands. She was also a keen skier and a significant member and organizer of Skicousi, a Toronto women’s ski group that fostered both sport and lifelong friendships.

Her cooking was legendary. From curries inspired by India and Zimbabwe, to Spanish paella and French bouillabaisse improvised from her sailing catches, Jen’s table was always well laden. Her desserts—whether an airy pavlova or a simple mocha ice cream spiked with rum (though the latter was technically Hugh’s specialty)—were world class.

She cared deeply for her pets, cats and dogs alike, who were family to her. Her children often joked that they were more likely to be called by the pets’ names than their own.

From 1984 to 1997, Jen also devoted herself to public service, running the Ontario-funded Court Volunteer Support Services in Toronto, providing aid to probationers across five criminal courts. Despite her many commitments, she always found time for golf and skiing with friends across Ontario, Europe, and the U.S. Though she put down deep roots in Canada, she retained a deep affection for southern Africa and India, and carried a fondness for Ganesh, the remover of obstacles.

A viewing will be held at Turner & Porter "Yorke" Chapel (corner of Bloor and Windermere), on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 2:00 p.m. until time of the Celebration of Jen’s Life at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Neilson Park Creative Centre, 56 Neilson Dr., Etobicoke, ON M9C 1V7, Tel: 416-622-5294