Frances Jean Snobelen, born Jan. 4, 1922 last surviving member of the family of Edith and Alonzo Thomas. Her family lived for a time on a small farm in the Kent Bridge area and later on the plot now occupied by the No-Frills grocery on Queen Street. Mom attended CCI in Chatham, taking mainly “business” courses. At a young age, Mom married Jack Goddard of Taylor Ave., Chatham. Jack shipped off to war shortly after the birth of their son Terry, born December 1, 1941. During the war, Mom worked at different jobs in Toronto and Chatham for a time mostly at war-related factory work, including a hand grenade factory. A member of the First Hussars as tank driver, Jack’s tank hit a land mine a few days after D Day, leaving Mom widowed with a young son.
Introduced through mutual friends, this attractive lady caught the eye of a single farmer from Blenheim, and she eventually married Morley Roy Snobelen. The three farmed on Erieau Road and eventually three more children came along. In 1962, Mom and Dad, and the three youngest moved to 100 Victoria Street Thamesville. Mom went to work at McDonalds Restaurant, in Thamesville, and later Fetters Restaurant, working the 6am shift for many years. Later Mom and Dad retired to the “Bush Nest” they built in the woodlot on the back of the family farm on Erieau Road. A few years back, Mom and Dad moved to an addition to the brick house on the front of the farm, so they could maintain their independence, but be close to their three youngest grandchildren. We remember the speed at which Mom would work, her resolve to tackle anything, and the fact that she seldom complained. We also remember her love of music and dancing. She will be missed by all of her surviving family, husband Morley, daughter Lou Ann, sons Terry and wife, Sherrell, Garnet and wife, Gayle, Albert, grandchildren Terry Lynn, Bob, Sam, Kelly, Erie, Susan and great-grandchildren Amanda, Jessica, Shayna, Jami, and Allison.
