Family

MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, AUNTIE, WIFE, DOG MOM

Here’s my story:

I’m the youngest child of the late Don and Phyllis Snobelen. I have German, Scottish, English and Irish settler blood, and perhaps more. My siblings are Philip Snobelen (Vancouver), Clyde Snobelen (Victoria), Jean Hunter (Los Angeles) and Heather Caton (Hornby Island). I became auntie Syl or auntie Bub to 9 nieces and nephews and many great-nieces and nephews.

In 1972, when I was 17, I married into the Olsen family in W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip First Nation). I married Carl, but his nickname had been Bub since he was born. He married Sylvia, but my nickname had also been Bub since I was born. You can’t make that kind of thing up. We became Uncle Bub and Auntie Bub—unsophisticated but the most incredible honour—to dozens and dozens of young people. By the time my wonderful mother-in-law, Laura Olsen, passed away in 2007 she had 278 direct descendants…they are all mine.

By then Carl and I had contributed 4 children to her clan… Adam, Joni, Heather and Joaquim, from Brazil, who we added to the family in 1990. Laura always made sure every child was included in her family. The family has grown to include; Emily (Adam), Nick (Joni) and Cory (Heather) and grandchildren Yetsa, Madison, Reuben, Silas, Joey, Ella, Jack and Felix.

In 2017 I married Tex McLeod. Tex is from Oakville, Ontario. The McLeod nieces and nephews…Kristie, Rebecca, Amanda, Donald, Kalie and Keegan and all their beautiful children add a new dimension to what it means to be Auntie Syl (Bub). 

Tex and I have an amazing little dog named Piper, short for Bagpipes McLeod. Given that Tex had no children he wanted the opportunity to name the dog. What could I say to my big Scot?

My story wouldn’t be real without every one of the hundreds of family members I love…they are who makes me me.