Deborah Snodgrass

UA alumna Deborah Snodgrass was one of two Americans killed Saturday by a bomb that exploded at a Bali nightclub.

Nearly 200 people, many of whom were tourists, were killed in the blast.

Snodgrass was standing outside the nightclub when the bomb exploded.

She moved to Indonesia four years ago to teach English at a private school.

She also began to work with design and manufacturing companies in Bali, said her aunt Pat Beaty, who lives in Phoenix.

Snodgrass graduated from the UA with a degree in political science in 1992.

Before her time in Bali, she traveled the world teaching English as a second language in Italy, Greece and Korea for six years.

"She was just very interested in world affairs and the globe," said Beaty. "She really thought the world was an interesting place and she wanted to see it."

Although the world became a more dangerous place to most Americans after Sept. 11, 2001, Deborah was not concerned, Beaty said.

"Debbie understood that there is no safe place in the world. Bad things happen everywhere," she said.

But Beaty said Snodgrass generally felt safe in Bali.

"Bali, unlike most of Indonesia, is not a Muslim island. It is a mostly Hindu island with a strong tourism industry. Most people thought that protected them. I don't believe she felt she was ever in any danger."

On Monday, President Bush indicated that he believed the perpetrators of the nightclub bombing had ties to al-Qaeda.

Snodgrass' parents, Chris and Susan Snodgrass, released a statement asking the media to respect the family's privacy.

"They feel a great sadness. It's a terrible thing to lose a child," Beaty said.

A funeral mass will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday in Phoenix. Following the service, Snodgrass' remains will be flown to Springfield, Mo., where the rest of the Snodgrass family lives.

Snodgrass is survived by her parents, her brother, Steven, and both of her grandmothers.