Aileen Snell

Aileen  (Smith) Snell, 89, of Mentor passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, and entered into the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ, on April 27, 2019.

She was born July 14, 1929 in Cleveland, to Clarence and Adeline (Crookshanks) Smith, and was a life long resident of Mentor.  

After high school, Aileen studied in Cleveland to be a fashion designer/illustrator.  She passed along her artistic abilities to her children and grandchildren.

Aileen married Ralph W. Snell on August 30, 1952.  They were together until his death in 2004.

Ralph was an excellent welder/fabricator, He used his talents to create yard sculptures for Aileen,

Aileen liked being helpful in a variety of ways in her younger years.  She enjoyed being a Girl Scout Leader and working at the preschool at the Painesville  Church of the Nazarene, where she was a member.

She loved getting her hands dirty growing plants indoors and outside, especially those that attracted butterflies which became her trademark.

Aileen and Ralph both enjoyed caring for rescue animals.  Most were dogs, however some were unusual such as crows, and a rooster. 

She loved her family, and as a mother and grandmother, she was very insistent that kids learn by doing, playing and spending as much time outside as possible.

Aileen is survived by her daughters, LouAnn (Pat, deceased) Holleran of Mentor,  Susan D. (Kerry) Ochaba ,  of Mentor and Fuzzy (Greg) Zielinski of Willoughby.   She had four grandchildren, Jeanette Zielinski (Mauricio) Lanese of Lakewood, Crystal Zielinski, of Lakewood, Bryant (Kat) Ochaba of Eastlake, and Alexander Ochaba of Walton Hills. 

Should friends desire, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192.