Ruth Monreal Snavely

On May 7, 2013 a light dimmed and went out for the family of Ruth Monreal Snavely, a 66 year resident of San Pedro, CA. She was born on April 21, 1926 in Vienna, Austria to Ida and Herman Adler. The cobblestoned streets and the waltzes of Johann Strauss would have remained her world but for the events of 1938 which forced the family to flee Hitler and immigrate to Shanghai, China one of the few ports open to Jews whose papers had been seized by the Nazis. For many in these circumstances, a change like this would be traumatic; it was for her parents. But for Ruth and her brothers it was an adventure and the beginning of her lifelong dream to be an American, especially movies, music and men. In 1946 she arrived on the shores of the United States and began the first of many incarnations. She first became an American housewife refining her skills at keeping house and cooking and giving birth to what would become her proudest accomplishments, Danny and Denise. She entered the business world, where she discovered she had a real talent for selling real estate. She was amazed that she could have so much fun and make money too. She sold property in San Pedro, Palos Verdes, Malibu, Mammoth Lakes and the Valley to people who would become her customers and then friends for the rest of her life. She always referred to what she called her String of Pearls, a cluster of friends connected to her life through different events and people. She delighted in each additional pearl. She was funny, bright, interesting, wise and kind. She was an avid newspaper reader all of her life and a staunch Liberal. As Ruth entered her later years she found love again with her friend and plumber Dutch Snavely whom she married in a beautiful ceremony at Wayfarer's Chapel. They enjoyed many cruises, weekends spent in Palm Desert, traveling with friends and building and tending to their rentals. But to me her greatest accomplishment was that of Mother and Grandmother. In my younger years I always knew she was different from the other moms, but as I grew older I realized that her oddities were what made her so unique. She instilled in us an incredible work ethic and an appreciation for all the gifts that were ours, just by virtue of having been born here. She made sure we learned to be independent but was always there to help when we faltered. She treasured her grandchildren as if they were her own and was so much a part of every aspect of their lives. She leaves many of us behind wondering how we'll go on without her sound advice. Denise Monreal Klassy and Danny Monreal her children, Jennifer Monreal Del Arenal, Jacqueline Page Klassy and Ryan Monreal her grandchildren. Annika Del Arenal and Ava-Rose Klassy her great-grandchildren. Her devoted brothers Paul and Fred Adler and her favorite cousin Renee Eckhaus. Her string of pearls included Ditta Kahn, Lily Nelken, Ruth Olson, Cricket Aster, Madalene Boycan, The Behrens Girls, Jacqueline Starbird, Bill and Candy Cueto, Stuart Anderson, Dave Smith, Larry Broeckmeirer, Vince Naranjo, and Susan Foster. I would also like to thank a special angel in our lives who cared for, loved and nursed my mother with a dignity and grace that was beyond what one would ever expect - we called her Mellie though her real name is Imelda Creus. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice . My mothers favorites were ALS and Alzheimers. For those with your mothers still here - hold them close. The only thing they do wrong is to die and leave you. L'chaim! A celebration of Ruth's life will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2013 at 11.00 a.m. at The Wayfarers Chapel, 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. Reception will follow at Trump National Golf Club. Please sign the guest book at www.dailybreeze.com /obits.


Funeral Home:
Green Hills Mortuary and Memorial Chapel
27501 S.Western Ave.
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
US 90275