Wilma ‘Jean’ Snyder Stewart was born January 2, 1933 in Pricedale, PA, and passed away June 21, 2021 in San Antonio, TX after a short hospitalization. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph S. and Frances O. (Haggerty) Snyder; husband, Colonel George R. Stewart, USAF (Retired); sisters Marjorie Lacey (Danny) and Mary Lou Kushner (Larry); and brother William ‘Bill’ Snyder (Audrey).
Jean’s survivors include daughter Janine Stewart Hendricks (Tom), Universal City, TX; granddaughters Sara Hendricks Henkel (Dave), Schertz, TX; Anna Hendricks Gonzalez (Emanuel), Austin, TX; great-grandchildren Landon and Peyton Henkel, Eva Jean and Tommy Gonzalez; and brother Jack Snyder (Suzanne), Venice, FL; along with nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jean was a wonderful Air Force wife for over 34 years, traveling from her and George’s home state of Pennsylvania in 1951 to Upstate New York, Wyoming, Japan, Virginia twice, Alabama, South Korea, and several tours in Texas—they retired in Universal City, TX in 1985. Jean made a beautiful home wherever the Air Force sent her family, and she was well known for her hospitality and culinary skills. Through the years Jean worked as an executive secretary, legal secretary, and as a successful real estate agent in the San Antonio, TX area (Century 21 and Keller Williams).
Jean had a beautiful alto voice, and was selected for the Pennsylvania State Chorus in high school (along with a later famous actress, Shirley Jones), but she was better known as a pianist, and later in life, an organist. Jean read music, but mostly played by ear whatever anyone wanted to hear! She played at schools, churches, social gatherings, charity events, and other events through the years.
After George passed in 2008, Jean moved to the Army Residence Community (ARC), in San Antonio, TX in 2010, making many good friends there, and reconnecting with some old friends. While still able, she volunteered with the “juice cart” visiting nursing home residents, sang with the Protestant choir, and played the piano for the Kiwanis Club, Protestant Chapel services, singalongs, Christmas celebrations, and talent shows. She had moved to Assisted Living in March 2021, and was still playing the piano until a couple of weeks before she passed away.
Jean truly enjoyed being a Grandma and Great-Grandma, and was known as ‘Jeanie’ by her Great-grandchildren. She especially loved rocking, reading, feeding, and singing to her great-grandbabies. Jean was the “glue” that held our family together with love.
A Memorial Service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at First Baptist Church of Universal City, 1401 Pat Booker Rd., Universal City, TX 78148. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Academy Endowment Fund at the same address. Jean volunteered at the school her grandkids attended, and 2 of her great-grandchildren are now enrolled.
Jean will be buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with her beloved husband.
