Linda Kay Snyder, 76, of Apache Junction, passed away on July 08, 2024, surrounded by family and friends after her long courageous battle from an illness.
Linda was born on June 17, 1948, to Louis and Carolyn Petty in Bellefontaine, Ohio. After 14 years of enduring the Midwest winters, the Petty’s loaded up the family and ventured to Arizona in a roundabout way through Oregon. Ultimately, establishing their residence in Mesa, Arizona, Linda went on to graduate from Westwood High in Mesa in 1966. She then started her working career at Motorola as a wire bonder in the technology sector and began her family with Bill Dunning. They had four wonderful and energetic children; Lisa, Blaine, Stacie and Kelly.
Linda enjoyed playing women’s softball for many years and then co-ed softball with friends and co-workers from Custom Devices (White Technology). She especially enjoyed those teams because she had an opportunity to play on teams with her daughters. Eventually, she met her current husband, Gary Snyder, at White Technology. Ironically, when Gary was hired as her new boss, she disliked him and called him “that guy”. Eventually he won her heart over, despite her numerous objections, and they enjoyed almost 38 wonderful years of marriage. Linda and Gary enjoyed travelling frequently, once she boarded that first airplane to Hawaii for their honeymoon. If you walk into their house, you’ll immediately see that Linda liked to collect teddy bears from their travel destinations, as evidenced by the extensive collection displayed around the house. Linda continued to work in various industries and positions (production control, QA, customer service) until she finally retired from the work force in 2010, so she could spend time doing what she really enjoyed, taking care of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Linda was affectionately known as “Nana” by all. She also enjoyed working on her stained glass whenever she had a spare moment.
In addition to her parents, Linda was predeceased by her daughter, Kelly, the victim of an accidental death 22 years ago. She is survived at home by her husband, Gary, and her Labrador Retriever, Storm. Additionally, she is survived by her brothers Jerry Petty and Tom Petty, and her sister Gina Sorg. She leaves behind her 3 children, Lisa Smith, Blaine Dunning and Stacie Dunning along with her 8 grandchildren, Benjamin, Alexandria, Lindsay, Brenden, Matthew, Kayla, Gabriela, and Novalee and 6 great grandchildren with one more on the way. She will be missed by her extended family and beloved friends as well.
A public visitation will be held Thursday afternoon, July 11, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery located at 7900 East Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85207. There will be a memorial mass on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 10:00 AM at St George Catholic Church at 300 E. 16th Avenue, Apache Junction, AZ, 85119. The mass will be immediately followed by a funeral procession to Linda’s final resting place at Mountain View Cemetery.
Sincerest condolences and respects for all of your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerest condolences and respects for all of your great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.