Derva was born February 9, 1929 to Rena and Charles Sater in Medford, Oregon. She was preceded in death by brother, Dwane Sater and is survived by husband, Lincoln Snider; son, Gary Snider; daughter, DeeAnne (Snider) Anderson; grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Derva was a highly intelligent, educated articulate person. She hungered for knowledge and relentlessly researched for the truth of any life situation or cause. She began her higher education as a Beaver; Oregon State University and eventually received a Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Irvine in California.
She met the love of her life, Lincoln Snider, in Los Alto, California and after his tour in the military, they were married and started their family.
Not only was Derva an intellectual and scholar, she was very artistic; a writer, painter, musician, dancer, dance teacher and choreographer, she also designed and sewed dance costumes. She was the Owner/Director of Mission Viejo School of Dance and Artistic Director of Dance Arts Theatre Company. She was a teacher of Dance at Saddle Back College in California and she wrote a textbook, "Therapeutic Barre", movements to help dancers properly stretch their skeletal system. She also toured the country with Joanna Kneeland and Master Teacher David Howard giving lectures on the subject.
Derva has touched and enriched so many lives. She was quick with a joke and always had a twinkle in her eye. She was devoted to her family and friends and the causes she believed in.
Goodbyes to her family on holiday visits filled her eyes with loving tears and now our tears are for her goodbye. She will be deeply missed.
A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. The family requests in lieu of flowers to make donations to Muscular Dystrophy.