Carolyn Jane Snow died at her home in Branson, Mo. Her husband, family and dear friend were with her in loving support, as they had been for her seven-week battle with cancer.

Always a poet/dramatist at heart, and in fact, Carolyn was born in Seattle on Leap Year Day, Feb. 29, 1940, to George and Virginia Snow, and she died on the Longest Night, Dec. 21, 2005.

She had a long history of participation in the arts. She co-founded the Firehouse Art Station in Norman, Okla.; she began the State of Oklahoma Institution Programs Inc., teaching poetry in the prison system; she was “Poet and Potter in Residence” in Oklahoma; she and husband Dr. Dale Smith organized in 1982 what was initially “Oklahoma Kids” and which is now “American Kids” theater productions in Branson, Mo. She has written and produced hundreds of musical shows featuring talented young people there and has been instrumental in building the show business careers of many. Carolyn has always had a positive, genuine attitude and happily shared her generous Christian spirit. She was most thrilled to know she had helped people.

She loved pimiento cheese, strong coffee, Washington state, Seattle, Whidbey Island and the Ozark Mountains. She maintained an abiding interest in her genealogical past, researching family connections near Seattle. She was a frequent and happy visitor to Whidbey Island, where she stayed with Joanna Snow Cruse, who deeply misses her beloved sister.

In 1988 Carolyn wrote, “sing the song in the way our hearts want it to be sung. Let the words surround us all. Then we’ll know. Come over here, we are waiting.”

Her memorial service was held Dec. 28, 2005 at the White House Theater, Branson, Mo.