Obituary: Katherine Pelton Smith Snell - Class of 1927

MADISON - Katharine Pelton Smith Snell, age 89, died on Wednesday, October 27, 1999 in Madison. She was born on November 8, 1909 in Madison, the daughter of Harry Gray Smith and Jessie Mary Pelton Smith. She attended Doty grade school, Madison Central High School, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a bachelor's degree in botany in 1931. She was elected to Phi Beta Kappa honorary society in 1931. She earned a master's degree in the same subject in 1933. While a graduate student, she met her husband, John Morphy Snell of St. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec, Canada. They were married on July 20, 1935 at the bride's home at 4257 Mineral Point Road, Madison. She lived a few years in the east with her husband, until his death in 1941. After that, she moved back to Madison and has lived there ever since. She retired in 1975 after working 20 years as assistant curator of the herbarium at the University of Wisconsin. Katharine was a direct descendant of William Bradford, Miles Standish, John Alden, and Richard Warren of the Plymouth Colony of 1620. Katharine was a third generation member of First Congregational Church of Madison, and was active there over the years as a nursery attendant, Sunday school teacher, cradle roll keeper, and a member of section 11. She was also an active member of the AAUW, and a member of their antiques club. Katharine lived at 228 East Sunset Court for 52 years, before moving into Oakwood Retirement Home in December 1992. Katharine was preceded in death by her husband, John M. Snell; by her brothers, Robert Standish Smith, and William Bradford Smith; and by her sister, Merian Bradford Smith. She is survived by her two children, John Bradford Snell (Jeanie) of Lake Elmo, Minnesota, and Mary Evelyn Snell Fish (Lawrence) of San Francisco; six grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and also by a sister-in-law, Betty Smith of Madison. Burial will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park, and a memorial service will be held at OAKWOOD MEMORIAL CHAPEL, 6201 Mineral Point Road, at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 6, 1999. Friends may call one hour before the time of service at the chapel. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road.

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on November 3, 1999.

Katherine Pelton Smith Snell's class year is based in information in the 1927 Tychoberahn, where she is pictured among the graduating seniors.