Martha Jane Snyder

Martha Jane Snyder of Phoenix, Ariz., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family Oct. 4, 2011. Martha was born on March 10, 1958, in Lake Forest, Ill.

She was the third of four daughters to Jean and Frederick P. Snyder, M.D. She attended Hopi Elementary and Arcadia High School. She went to NAU and graduated from the University of Arizona.

Martha's dad put her on her first horse at age 3, which sparked her love of all things equestrian. From the ages 13 to 22, Martha attended Camp Lake Hubert in Minnesota, first as a camper and later as the director of the horseback riding program. It was along these paths she made countless lifelong friends.

After college and camp, Martha found an interest in commercial real estate and worked there for many years; however, her life's passion remained horses. Martha found her true calling playing polo and successfully started a riding school in Paradise Valley.

Her huge heart, laughter and generosity of spirit lives on.