Leora Edith Snyder

Leora Edith Snyder was born on January 29th, 1939 in Portland, Oregon. The daughter of Robert (Bob) Emery Burgoon of Altoona, Pennsylvania and Zelda Evelyn Dayton of North Dakota. She peacefully passed away on December 7th, 2025.

Miss Leora attended Jefferson High School in North Portland before she married Robert (Bob) Kelley. They had a son, Robert Loren (1955) and a daughter Luwella Jean (1957).

Leora, the young adult, worked for Nabisco, The Oregon Employment Department and as a telephone operator.

As her kids were completing high school, she dissolved her marriage with Bob in 1973.

Roughly three years passed before a lonely and ambitious Leora met, (on a blind date through mutual friends) connected and fell in love with her soul-mate, an honest gentleman, faithful and handsome, an Army veteran, Ronald Alan Snyder. Who, with two young sons of his own, Wayne (1973) and Mark (1969), was recently widowed. As Ron proclaimed, “What I really loved about Leora was her compassion for my young boys and me. I was still struggling to make things work, and Leora never got upset with my breakdowns over the loss of my first wife.”

On their second date together in mid 1976, Leora professed to Ron “I know who I’m gonna marry” then she pointed at Ron, “you”. As miracles would have it, Ron was thinking the same thing too. These two rascals started their union together on August 7th 1976 in Tigard Oregon. They planned and built their love together by being really good, honest and respectful friends to each other. They always enjoyed each other's company and were not shy to express their affection in front of others. Strangers had no trouble approaching, talking, smiling, laughing and becoming good friends with these two.

She enjoyed rock climbing with Ron and his father Ray. With the hopes of climbing Mt. St. Helens before it erupted in 1980, Darn. They both tore up the dance floor to country swing music. They were in bowling leagues for decades with good friends Mike and Paulette. Leora enjoyed women’s bowling tournaments at various cities in the Northwest. To stay active and burn off their morning coffee, they continued to add additions and remodel their house, tackle yard work, budget their finances and stay on top of their investments. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s they purchased two rental income properties that produced several long term tenants and friends.

One memorable long vacation took the family to Reno, Nevada, Las Vegas (of course), Grand Canyon , Heber Arizona to visit daughter Luwella Jean, then on down to Tijuana Mexico to sample some genuine tequila. Back up through California (San Diego Zoo, Disneyland, San Francisco) and then on up the beautiful Oregon coast.

Ron was employed with a great job, enabling Leora to concentrate on raising Wayne and Mark. Being home after school to talk to, give homework advice, play board games & cards and chauffeur and (yell at the referees) at the basketball, baseball, soccer and wrestling practices and games.

Out of the house go the boys and Leora graciously becomes a hospice caretaker to her uncle (Reese, 1992) and later to her father (Bob, 1993).

Leora really enjoyed hosting and entertaining all the holidays and special events with family and friends.

A very caring woman, Leora would help and talk to anyone she thought looked down and unhappy. She went out of her way to help people and animals be comfortable and happy before she attended to herself. She was admired for her willingness to sit down and talk things over when there was a difference of opinion.

Leora and Ron enjoyed their empty nesting with weekend road trips, visiting family and friends out of state, traveling with Ron on out-of-town jobs and reading great books. Leora soon began volunteering at Animal Aid, a nonprofit animal rescue and welfare organization. Boy, did she love animals, especially cats. We think she fed all the squirrels, raccoons, ducks, birds and cats in Tigard.

In the last decade or so, Leora was gradually losing her short term memory and having the normal aches and pains (hands and feet) of an active middle aged woman.

Leora was in home hospice care after sustaining two strokes last month. In the early morning hours of December 7th, 2025, Leora peacefully and painlessly crossed the rainbow, surrounded by her dearest husband and loving family.

Leora and Ron had 49 years and 4 months together, that would make any young couple strive for, yet they wanted more.

Leora’s mother, Zelda passed peacefully in 1974, brother Bob in 1987 and sister Arlene in 1992.

Daughter Luwella Jean gave Leora her first grandson (James Matthew) in 1975, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy and passed in 2003. Her nephew Danny passed in 2010.

She is survived by her son Robert and his 3 children, daughter Luwella Jean, sons Wayne and Mark, niece Debbi Shackelford in Arizona and the perfect match of a husband, always caring, supporting, encouraging and loving, Ronald, who will deeply miss her the rest of his life.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Animal Aid in Portland Oregon would honor Leora’s memory best.

A private service was held and she will be laid to rest at Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard, Oregon.