Obituary of Stella Snyder-Ott

Joelynn Snyder-Ott, 74, of Bellefonte, PA died Monday, January 19, 2015 at the home of her daughter in Bellefonte, PA. Joelynn was born May 2, 1940 in Harrisburg, PA, the only child of the late Richard Lee Snyder and Gertrude W. Yungel. In 1962, she married the late Dr. Robert W. Ott. She was a 1958 graduate of John Harris High School in Harrisburg, PA. Joelynn earned a bachelor's degree in illustration from Moore College of Art, Philadelphia, PA with graduate study in painting at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA. In both 1967 and 1971 she was recognized for her work and listed in Outstanding Women in America. Among some of her earlier professional experience, she had been an illustrator for public television, Hershey, PA; art supervisor, Yeshiva Academy, Harrisburg, PA; Art Director, Camp Hill Gallery and Academy of Art; and founder of the West Shore Library Fine Art Lending Service, Camp Hill, PA. She taught drawing and painting for over 35 years, including eight years at the Pennsylvania State University, University Park. She cofounded and directed an academy of art and gallery in South Central Pennsylvania with branches in Hershey, PA and Stone Harbor, NJ. She developed the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania studio instruction program in 1970 which continues today. In 1978 her book, Women and Creativity, was published and released internationally and became a standard reference for feminist art education scholars. She gave the first feminist art lecture at Penn State in 1970 titled, "The Female Experience and Artistic Creativity." Her drawings and painting are appreciated by patrons such as Mary Todhunter, Clark Rockefeller, and Stefano Starace, Italian Embassy, Rome, Italy. Her works also are included in collections such as: John Sloan Collection, The Hirshorn Museum, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Library of Congress, and the Kern Graduate Collection at Penn State. In 1980, Joelynn accepted a position in rental management which led to a full time post as a vice president of the company. In 1998, she opened The Central Pennsylvania Drawing Studio and Gallery Shop, highlighting works of local women artists. Joelynn chose to live out the remainder of her life with cancer, focusing on quality of life rather than quantity. Her days were spent in peaceful harmony with nature, living in her beloved cabin nestled among the fragrant pines and gentle breezes of the mountains. Her animal companions gave her comfort as did the animals that knew and loved her in the wild. She is survived by one daughter, LeeShaun Ott-Musick and husband Kevin, of Bellefonte and Mt. Gretna, PA, two grandchildren, Jessica A. Flanagan and husband Liam, of Bear, DE, and William E. L. Musick, of Bellefonte, PA, and one great granddaughter. Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Memorial Contributions can be made to: The Joelynn Snyder-Ott Memorial Fund, Fine Arts Department, Saint Joseph's Catholic Academy, 901 Boalsburg Pike, Boalsburg, PA 16827. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.