Janice Snell

Jan was born Dec. 8, 1936, in Detroit. She met her beloved husband of 70 years, Roger, while singing in the choir at the Methodist Church in Roseville, where Roger’s dad, the Rev. Howard Snell, was the minister.

Jan and Roger honeymooned at the family cottage on Lake Huron in Ossineke. They later spent their summer vacations at the cottage, with Ossineke serving as a special haven for their growing family. Upon their retirement in 1994, they expanded the cottage and it became their full-time home.

Jan leaves behind her husband; her daughters, Laura (Bruce) Maxwell of Ossineke, Linda (Don) Stonehouse of Traverse City, and Jennifer Snell of Berkley, Mich.; her son, Roger Snell of Albany, Oregon; two granddaughters, Sarah (Ken) Osaer of Rochester and Frances (Daniel) Grix of Traverse City; three great-grandchildren, Peter and Charlotte Osaer and Vivian Grix; and many other dear relatives and friends.

Jan was an active community volunteer. She worked in a variety of roles during her 17 years of volunteering at Alpena General Hospital; helped prepare and serve meals at St. Bernard’s soup kitchen; and organized many luncheons and other gatherings for parishioners at the Methodist Church in Ferndale and later at the First Congregational Church in Alpena.

Family and her partnership with Roger were central to Jan’s life. Jan and Roger were truly partners in every sense of the word, building on mutual love and respect and always keeping alive the spark of their youth.

Roger often organized family recreational activities, ranging from skiing to sailing, some of which Jan enjoyed more than others. But she was always a willing participant, and she usually prepared an accompanying picnic.

Jan had a kind word for everyone. Fellowship and gatherings of family and friends were important to her. These gatherings often centered on meals, and on special occasions featured Jan’s famous pasties.

She was a meticulous gardener who took pride when her gardens were featured on the Alpena garden walk. In the past year, she was excited about helping to prepare a home in Ossineke that her son bought just down the beach and will retire to in May 2026.

The family plans a celebration of Jan’s life on Friday, July 24, 2026, at her home in Ossineke. In lieu of flowers, please consider doing an act of kindness in remembrance of Jan. Bannan Funeral Home has handled cremation arrangements.