Jeanette Mende passed away peacefully at the age of 66 on August 28, 2020.
She was born in Kelowna, the second child of Akio and Blanche Yoshiko Mende
where she grew up living and working in the family orchards at Winfield, BC.
After studying Tourism at Humber College, she lived in Kelowna, Toronto,
Montreal and Vancouver. She worked with the RCMP, followed by a long career
with the Business Development Bank of Canada.
Jeanette met her soulmate Bob Snowdon in 1996 while ballroom dancing at the
Century Plaza Hotel in Vancouver. Together they enjoyed a passion for
travelling and the outdoors.
Jeanette faced health challenges with bravery and grace. She managed an
autoimmune disease (NMO) and battled cancer in her final 2 years. Jeanette will
always be remembered for her amazing spirit and beautiful smile. She will be
dearly missed.
Jeanette is survived by her husband Bob Snowdon, sister Brenda Patterson
(Terry), brother Jeff Mende (Shelley), niece Stephanie Shire, nephews Dekker
Mende (Brittany), great nephew Weston Mende, Brady Mende (Annie), Bob’s
parents Bill & Marion Snowdon, sisters Barb Snowdon (Bob Coyle), Susan
Gilchrist (Colin) and niece Myah.
Per Jeanette’s wishes, private family services were held at KORU Cremation &
Burial in Vancouver and Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Kelowna where
Jeanette now rests next to her parents. A Celebration of Life will be held
sometime next year.
Donations can be made in Jeanette’s honour to the Canadian Cancer
Foundation and the Neuro Myelitis Optica clinic at the University of British
Columbia.
0 Comments
Rose Gundry-White
To Jeanette ‘s Family,
We were so sad to hear of Jeanette ‘s passing. She had fought long and hard to overcome all that had been dealt to her.
Jeanette had such an optimistic attitude and great sense of humor while battling all the adverse invasions to her body. What a trooper! Such a beautiful gal inside and out!
She is in a better place and will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Sending our deepest sympathies,
Cousins Doug and Rose Gundry-White
Fiona and Carlos
To Jeanette’s family
Jeanette was truly a special person and a dear friend who is sorely missed. I miss our lunches and shopping trips. I miss her mischievous sense of humour and seeing that twinkle in her eye. She was a real asset to the Strata Council and worked tirelessly to make this a better place to live. Carlos and I admired how bravely she dealt with her various health challenges by never letting them define how she lived. Sending our deepest condolences. Love Fiona and Carlos.
Angelita Valenta (Montreal)
I became part of Jeanette’s entourage of admirers when she came to Montreal. We spent many years together at the Business Development Bank of Canada not only as colleagues, but as fast friends. We were an odd couple. Me, tall and skinny and Jeanette, tiny and demure. I nicknamed her “Little Buddy”. She was comfortable with that and even referred herself to that name. I never met anyone so easy going, kind, thoughtful, honest and always had a giggle. She was with me during difficult times and I did my best to be there for her from afar during her battles.She loved us all and we loved her. Jeanette’s last years challenged her, yet she was not ready to be defeated. My “Little Buddy” was not so little. She fought big and with dignity and always thinking of others around her.Jeanette, you were loved, you will be missed, but never forgotten. “It is never too late to live, always too early to die”. My condolences to her loving family!
David Krenz
My deepest condolensces and sympathies to Bob Snowdon and Jeanette’s family. I met Jeanette years ago when a special group of people would get together and go dancing. Jeanette was a gracious individual, good dancer and a great person to talk to. She left us too soon. Deepest regrets. David Krenz
Brent Kobayashi
So sorry to hear about Jeannette. I remember the big family dinners at Uncle Akio and Auntie Yoshi’s place. Jeanette’s mom and dad knew how to put on a big Japanese feast. Great memories of us kids hanging out, running through the orchard, playing “mouse trap” and stuffing our faces with sushi. Sending my deepest condolences.
Jean Guay
J’ai connu Jeanette à Kelowna en 1975, elle m’a suivi à Montréal.
Elle a toujours été très importante pour moi. Je me rappellerai son sourire et sa joie de vivre.
Mes sincères sympathies à sa famille, son conjoint et à ses amis.
Repose en paix, je garderai un bon souvenir de toi
Jean Guay