Janice Ruth Baldauf Sneed (known fondly as Gram) recently passed away at her home in Alexandria, Virginia. Throughout her life, Jan nourished people around her with love and encouragement. Family and friends loved and knew her for her great sense of humor, unwavering support, friendship, and encouraging words in all circumstances.
She was born November 9, 1939, in Long Beach, California to Laurence C. Baldauf and Eleanor Byrne Baldauf and raised at various Naval bases across the US. Jan and her family were living in Pearl City, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 and she still had vague memories of hiding with her family while Pearl Harbor was being attacked. Jan often joked that she was the world champion body surfer from Hawaii as a 2 year old.
After graduating from Wakefield High School in Arlington in 1957, she attended George Washington University (GWU) and she was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and was the 1958 “Sweetheart of Sigma Chi” fraternity.
Jan had firm convictions against hypocrisy, injustice, and bigotry. She was a loving mother and homemaker willingly sacrificing all to ensure her children had every opportunity to succeed. Jan worked for Fairfax County Schools as an instructional assistant in classes for children with disabilities.
A voracious reader, Jan particularly enjoyed mysteries, playing board games, and going to the movies. Jan was a lifelong bridge player participating in bridge groups in the Fairlington community and her parish church. Never a big sports fan once the Nationals arrived, Jan became an avid Nats fan. Jan was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and attended mass weekly.
Jan is survived by her children: Andrew Sneed (Myra), Kristin Taylor (Bernard), Kevin Sneed (Maria), Robert M. Sneed (Angela), and seven grandchildren. Janice’s is also survived by her three siblings, Laurence Baldauf II, Barbara Baldauf Jamborsky, and Mary Baldauf. And her former spouse Robert D. Sneed, the father of her four children.
She will be sadly missed by her family and the many friends she made throughout her life.
A memorial mass will be held Wednesday, August 21st at 11am at Blessed Sacrament in Alexandria, Va. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Nations Development Institute.
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