Joan Mae SNEVA

Joan Sneva, matriarch of the Spokane auto racing family, passed away peacefully January 28, 2017. She was born on May 2, 1929 in Pipestone, MN to C.J. and Laura Giles, one of ten children. After moving to and growing up in Spokane, she graduated from LC where she met the love of her life, Edsol. They raised six children, five boys and one girl. Joan was co-founder of the Pushy Grandmas for the fight against MS. In 1958 she was one of the founders of the Lilac City Chorus, the first Sweet Adelines chorus in Spokane, barbershop harmony for women. This was a hobby she loved, singing her bass part in choruses and quartets. Her first quartet included her sister, Pat. In 1976 Joan sang in a Northwest Regional Championships quartet, the Classified Ads, leading them to the International contest in London, England. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edsol and son, Edsol Ford “Babe” Sneva. She is survived by her sons, Tom (Sharon), Jerry (Kathy), Jan, Blaine (Martha), daughter Robyn, sisters Pat and Jane, brother Stan, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be remembered at a service March 6, 2017 at 1:00pm at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division, Spokane, WA.