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Helen Snow

1947 - 2016

Helen Snow obituary, 1947-2016, Chicago, IL

BORN

1947

DIED

2016

FUNERAL HOME

Drake & Son Funeral Home

5303 North Western Ave

Chicago, Illinois

Helen Snow Obituary

69 years old, leaves behind her husband of 25 years, Thomas, her brother Hank Hammond (Karen) and his children Mike, Joe (Julie) and Andrew (Jennifer) and grandchildren, and her sister Dea Harbor and her children Robin Redman, Richard Harbor, and John Burger (Cassie) and grandchildren. Helen is preceded in death by her mother Mary Kathryn Hammond and her father Dee Hammond, as well as her niece Diana Quick and her nephew Darin Harbor. Helen came from a small Midwest town (Paris, IL) but really came into her own when she moved to Chicago at the age of 18 and discovered she was a city girl at heart. She worked at the Sidley & Austin law firm in Chicago for 40 years, having some great and rewarding experiences there (with her card shark friends, many other friends, and great bosses). While holding a full-time job, she worked nights for many years to earn a bachelor's degree in English from Northwestern; she loved reading the classics and other thought-provoking works. Helen studied yoga for nearly 30 years, and taught Sanskrit-based yoga for 16 years at Galter Life Center on the north side of the city; she felt her yoga experiences and students were immensely rewarding. Helen was also a strong member and supporter of AA, with more than 30 years of sobriety and many friends. Earlier in her Chicago life, she was a girl scout leader, and more recently she taught reading skills at Literacy Chicago for many years. Helen loved travel; thankfully, her husband's job took them both around the globe. And, on four separate occasions, beginning at the age of 44, she and Tom hiked in and out of the Grand Canyon, packing in all the supplies needed for their stays. She also enjoyed her own trips related to yoga (including two months in India). A strong, brave woman who truly loved to camp, hike, and enjoy the world, Helen also found herself drawn to Arizona and had hoped to retire there at some point. Helen was a generous person; many charities, especially from the Chicago area, received her time and attention. She was an integral part of her local neighborhood and community (including her annual "lady's teas") and was especially proud of her home and large garden. A woman of tireless energy, she worked hard to keep it all up. And, yes, she adored her red minivan (the "yoga-mobile"). Helen did not suffer fools gently; she had a tart wit when needed. All in all, she was one of the most interesting persons most of us have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Helen's Visitation & Gathering will be at 12:30 PM, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1 PM on Sunday, October 2, 2016, at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western, Chicago; info 773-561-6874 or go to, www.DrakeandSonFuneralHome.com.

Published by Chicago Tribune from Sep. 17 to Sep. 18, 2016.
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Memories and Condolences
for Helen Snow

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I had the great fortune of getting to know Helen more personally when I began attending her Tuesday night Yoga classes at the Galter LifeCenter in 2014. I have such fond memories of those classes, and carry on the many great lessons she taught all of us "Yogis." I so miss her, and that class! I have not brought myself to attend another yoga class yet, but when I do, I will always remember Helen and her yoga (and life) expertise and wisdom. Rest in peace with the Heavenly angels, and God. :)

Barbara T Lea

October 10, 2016

"It was great to do yoga training with you at Suddha's studio 20 (!) years ago, Helen, and to share yoga workshops and practice with you. I am ever grateful for the going away party you threw for me there before I left for New Orleans. May the fullness of consciousness, bliss and peace be yours forever! Namaste!

Tim Noworyta

October 2, 2016

So glad we got to see you at the family reunion this year. You have been so good for Tom. You two were like world explorers and always enjoyed your travels. We will remember you in our hearts always.

Louise K

October 1, 2016

Lisa Polk

September 30, 2016

Please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of your beloved wife. We offer our love, thoughts, and prayers to you and your family.

Wright Camera Club

September 27, 2016

Galter will not be the same without the yoga expertise and joi de vie that you brought to each and every class. Everyone, including your colleagues, learned much from you dear Helen. May you be in bliss...

Tracy Von Kaenel

September 26, 2016

You will be greatly missed Helen!!! I will cherished the times when we met in India in 2004 & we became friends ever since. You were such a wonderful person to be around with.

Carol Chan

September 23, 2016

Helen,
It was a pleasure knowing you all these years! You will be missed by many- may you rest in peace!
- Dorothy Wojcik

Dorothy Wojck

September 22, 2016

You will be missed. I am so happy to have had the good fortune to practice yoga with you at Galter. Om shanti shanti shanti,

Trudy Coit

September 21, 2016

Wish I could have gotten to know you a little better. I know you were good for Tom, and that means a lot to me. Love.

Jeanne B.

September 20, 2016

R.I.P, Helen. I am so happy that I got a chance to know you and Tom, Isabella Boniface, Oliver, Belle Starr, and Charlie. Your work is done here and although you will be missed, you will not be forgotten. We will always hold memories of you in our hearts.

Cathy R.

September 19, 2016

I am proud to have known and worked with her for 16 years! What a lovely soul!

Francie

September 19, 2016

You were quite the little pistol. Also generous, kind and funny. I'm grateful that I'm one of the lucky ones who got to know you. I'll miss you.

Mary Alice Patton

September 19, 2016

My deepest sympathy to Helen's family. May she rest in eternal peace.

Mary Fischl

September 19, 2016

Heartfelt condolences to Tom Snow & the families of both Helen & Tom. There is a new Guardian Angel looking out for you all.
Lindsay & Linda Johnson (Saint Augustine)

Lindsay Johnson

September 19, 2016

Helen was an awesome gal pal and great friend who be missed every day. Karen Acius (Plainfield, IL)

September 19, 2016

So sad to learn this news. Helen was one of my original (fabulous) teachers, an inspiration for me to go on to become a yoga teacher, and then a colleague and friend. We pretty much lost touch when I moved from the north side, but I continued to have wonderful memories of our many yoga years together. She was an extraordinarily loving, kind (crusty-kind), bright, and fun person. I know she will transition into another existence where she will continue to be a seeker and teacher and explore paths and world with determination and gusto. Micki Leventhal

September 18, 2016

Helen, you were one of a kind & we loved you/you will live on in our minds & hearts. RIP, Pat Wood

September 17, 2016

Claire and I always enjoyed our too infrequent visits with you and Tom. Sorry we won't have a chance again. Your graciousness, the patio lunches and our jaunts together are fond memories.-Bill and Claire

Bill Ranseen

September 17, 2016

It's been a great pleasure knowing you. I'm a better person for that.
Thanks,
Gerald Ritchie

Gerald Ritchie

September 16, 2016

You are greatly missed. Even by those who didn't know you as well as they would have liked to. ~Jenny L.

Jennifer Lawrence

September 16, 2016

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Memorial Events
for Helen Snow

Oct

2

Visitation

12:30 p.m.

IL

Oct

2

Celebration of Life

1:00 p.m.

Drake & Son Funeral Home

5303 North Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

Funeral services provided by:

Drake & Son Funeral Home

5303 North Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60625

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