Obituary of Rachel Brems Sneddon

Rachel Brems Sneddon, 41, of Manvel, TX passed away peacefully on December 27, 2017 with her family by her side. She leaves behind a loving, devoted network of family and friends: her husband, Cameron Randall Sneddon; their three children, Eric, Kiersten, and Andrew; her parents, Ilene and Jon Brems; her brothers and sisters, Brian and Sanette Brems, Emily and Ben Layton, Erin and Chad Coons, Jonathan and Melinda Brems, Melissa and Kyle Worthen, Sara and Douglas Cardon, Paul and Lindsay Brems, Kelsey and Spencer Hill, and Rebekah and Zachary Harris; and many more family members and friends.  

Born on December 7, 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Jon and Ilene Brems, Rachel demonstrated an aptitude for dance at a young age, developing a special love and talent for ballet. Indeed, ballet fit her personality: strong, quiet, resilient, and graceful. She was a cheerleader for four years at Tigard High School (Portland, OR) and graduated in 1995. In addition to dance, she enjoyed playing the piano and singing. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Brigham Young University in 1995, completing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in dance in 2000. During her college years, she auditioned for the BYU International Folk Dance Team and performed with the group from 1995-2000. The team traveled the world, giving Rachel experiences, memories, and friends for a lifetime. Folk dance introduced her to Cameron, a fellow Folk Dance Team member, and the two were married in the Portland Oregon LDS Temple on June 2, 2000.

After graduation from BYU, Rachel began a Master’s at BYU in Dance Pedagogy. During her two years of graduate school, she danced with the BYU Dancer’s Company, a modern dance troupe. She completed her Master’s in August 2002. In March of the following year, she and Cameron welcomed their firstborn son, Eric Lambert. Rachel then put aside her dancing shoes to be a mom to Eric, and then Kiersten (2008) and Andrew (2013). She devoted herself to her children, helping them become kind, friendly, accomplished young people. The family then settled in Houston, TX in January 2008.

In January of 2014, the family moved to Paris, where they lived for three years, establishing friendships and connections as they have always done. While in Paris, Rachel was diagnosed with cancer. Despite months of treatment and fatigue, Rachel and her family toured Europe when they were able, enjoying their international experience. They returned to Houston in January 2017, settling in Manvel, TX.

During Rachel’s last year of life, she endured declining health but did so surrounded by those who loved her most and whom she loved most. She wanted to enjoy every last day allotted to her. A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Rachel’s faith and dedication steadied her as her body faltered.

Her legacy is one of unassuming fortitude and love for others. During their years traveling with the BYU International Folk Dance Team, Rachel frequently stayed behind after a performance to clean up the stage or set, something she did without fanfare or praise. Such behind-the-scenes service typifies Rachel, who often quietly helped and influenced those around her. It was one of her endearing and enduring traits. Though her death inevitably brings sorrow, memories of her kind, warm spirit shine through. She will be missed and remembered.  

A visitation for Rachel will be held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14555 Lexington Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77478, in the Relief Society Room on Saturday, January 6, 2017, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the main sanctuary with Bishop Geoffrey Tonini officiating. Online condolences may be sent to the Sneddon family at www.claytonfuneralhomes.com.