Ann (La Verne) Snow Wendin

With great sorrow, we announce that beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Ann (LaVerne) Snow Wendin, passed away on November 19, 2023. Despite her declining health, she never lost her joking ways, and of course, her fiery, independent personality. Ann will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Ann, who resided in Los Altos, California for more than 50 years, was a true Berkeley girl at heart. She was born on October 16, 1936 in Berkeley, California to A.L. Snow and Ann K. Snow. LaVerne, as Ann was known in her school years, attended Cragmont Elementary, Garfield Junior High, and Berkeley High School. She received her BA from UC Berkeley (Cal) in 1958, where Ann was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and a Cal cheerleader. After college, she attended San Francisco’s elite Grace Ball Secretarial School, of which she and her family were very proud.

In her early career, Ann worked for Dean McHenry during his initial tenure as founding chancellor of UC Santa Cruz and prior to that academic assistant to Clark Kerr, UC system president. Ann subsequently worked inhouse at staffing companies Adia and Manpower. After that, Ann, an avid traveler, became a travel agent who planned many great vacations, all over the world, for family and friends. She also helped teach airline computer classes at Foothill College. In her later years, Ann worked as a docent and gateguard at Filoli in Woodside and as a “meet-and-greet” manager for the cruise lines leaving from San Francisco.

Ann was a life-long, passionate tennis player. She played doubles for the Fremont Hills Country Club team, travelling around the country for tournaments and some championships. She knew and watched all the pro tennis players, and always followed every pro tournament.

Ann is survived by sons Robert Wendin (and spouse Chrisie) of Menlo Park, California, William “Bill” Wendin of Carnelian Bay, California, and brother Raymond (and spouse Suzanne) Snow of Gardnerville, NV. In addition, Ann leaves behind beloved granddaughters Isabel and Sophia Wendin, as well as several nieces and nephews: Lisa, Brian, Sarah, and Laura, and their many children. Ann is also survived by multi-decade partner Donovan Alvik who now resides in New Jersey.  Ann is predeceased by, of course, many beloved golden retrievers and dachshunds.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Ann to her favorite charities: the UC Berkeley “Cal Fund”(calfund.berkeley.edu) and the Peninsula Humane Society (phs-spca.org).

A celebration of life will be held April 13, 2024 from noon-4pm, at Fremont Hills Country Club in Los Altos Hills, California.   Contact Bill Wendin or Robert “Bob” Wendin to RSVP.

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