Donna Ann Snearley
Donna Ann Snearley, 64, of Bokeelia, FL. passed away peacefully at home, with her devoted husband by her side, January 29, 2021. She was born in Hammond, Indiana on June 2, 1956. She graduated from Highland High School. Donna and Butch moved to Pine Island in 1983. They raised two sons, Trever and Joel on Pine Island and became very active in PI Little League and both were umpires.
She worked in Bokeelia at Easterday Nursery and FruitScapes. “Ms. Donna” was a
P. E./ teacher assistant at Pine Island Elementary for the past 32 years. She had been there long enough to see two generations of Pine Islanders come through the doors of “the little red schoolhouse” as she so loving called it. She touched the lives of many and made a difference in each one. She loved the kids and they loved her back.
She was a loyal friend and someone you could tell your troubles to and she truly listened. When your heart ached, so did hers. She had a big heart that was filled with compassion. She always went around doing little things for people that did not go unnoticed. For instance, she would put a couple of pink fluffy feathers in friends cars when they were having a bad day, just to let them know she was thinking of them and make them smile. She was a fun-loving, funny person, who made everyone around her laugh, always cracking jokes. She was well known, for her hats and HOWLS! When she was happy, no matter where she was, she would howl like a wolf to a full moon. Lol…
She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Phillip “Butch” Snearley,
(our family would like to express their love and gratitude for providing excellent, loving care to Donna during her illness. You both have loved beyond measure and have so many great memories. We hope they brighten the days and weeks to come.)
Sons, Trever (Pamela) Snearley and Joel Snearley. Granddaughters, Trinity and Teagan and baby grandson, Tristan, whom she was elated to be able to meet.
Sisters, “that love her MORE” Celia (Al) Dietrich and Heather Alwert, nieces, Tiffany (Zack) Petroc and Jesica ( Phil) Cherry, great nieces and nephews, Parker, Angelica, Rhys Petroc and Emi Cherry. She also, had extended family and loved her cousins and life long friends.
She is preceded by her parents, Priscilla Caron and James “Jim” Alwert Sr. of Indiana, her brother, James “Curt” Alwert Jr., her mother and father-in-law, Wilma and Marshal Snearley.
In lieu of flowers a Go Fund Me Account, https://go fund.me/1ccd76ea, has been set up, to purchase a bench in her name at the school. A private ceremony will be held and a celebration of life at a later date.
“My dear sister, words cannot express the love that we had for each other. I will miss you as much as I loved you. We sure had some great times and I will cherish every memory that we made. I will hold you in my heart of hearts always. You rejoice with all of our angels now and know you touched the lives of so many. Heaven must be so beautiful, but our world is a little less so without you in it. Rest easy my biggest sister. I love you MORE! Love your little sister”…Heather
“Part of my heart is gone”….Love, Celia
“The island and the world grew a little darker last week with the passing of Donna Snearley, known to most as “Miss Donna”. It would be an understatement to say she hadn’t influenced the lives of all island kids for the past 32 years. Her larger than life hat collection and her infectious smile will be missed by all. If there is one word that best describes my mother, it would be DEVOTED; she was DEVOTED to the school, DEVOTED to the children, DEVOTED to the community, DEVOTED to her friends, DEVOTED to her sisters, DEVOTED to our family and most of all, DEVOTED to her husband, Phillip “Butch” Snearley” Love, Trever
“My mother exemplified caring and selflessness. She touched many lives with her exuberant spirit, smile and laugh. She will be missed in more ways than I can understand, but forever loved with all my heart”…..Love, Joel