IDA J. SNOW

SNOW, IDA J., March 6, 1922 - November 25, 2011 Matriarch of the Snow Family, Ida Snow of Surfside, Florida, was surrounded by her family when she passed away peacefully on November 25th. She was born in Lynhurst, NJ to Anna and Joseph Sozzio. Ida grew up in Asbury Park, NJ and graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1941. The following year, she met the love of her life, Edward Hugh Snow, at a USO dance. They wed in June 1943 and spent the next sixty years happily married. Together, they traveled the world, raised three sons and founded Snow's Jewelers. In 1950, they relocated from NJ to South Florida. Using Eds watchmaking skills learned at the Bulova Watch School for disabled veterans after WWII, they opened the first Snows Jewelers in 1958. They opened the store with high hopes, a lot of prayers, a $600 loan, three used showcases and their dining room table covered in gift-wrapping paper to serve as another display case. They survived by Ida selling Avon door-to-door while Ed repaired watches for other jewelry stores. Eventually, their efforts paid off and Snows Jewelers became one of South Florida's most established independent fine jewelers. In the 1970s, Snow's was well known for its campaign offering a white Rolls Royce to its bridal customers. Today, Snows Jewelers has two locations: one on Main Street in Miami Lakes and one on Miracle Mile in Coral Gables. In addition to being a pioneer businesswoman, Ida loved the arts, particularly the opera, and was a dedicated community leader in South Florida. She was a Cub Scout den mother, President of the Immaculate Conception Altar and Rosary Society, Charter President of the North Hialeah Business and Professional Women's Club; 5-year director of the Hialeah-Miami Springs Chamber of Commerce; Charter President of the Miami Lakes Zonta Club; 2-year chairman of the Heart Fund Ball; past Board member of the Marion Center; past president of the U of M Ear Dears; member of the "Friends of the Library" at St. Thomas University; member of the Miami Chamber Symphony; and a member of the Surf Club. We are very grateful to Marcel St. Jean for the wonderful care she provided to our mother in her final years. Ida is preceded in death by Edward, Sr. on 10/19/01 and her youngest son, Christopher, on 11/11/11, she is survived by her sons Edward, Jr. and Gary; seven grandchildren: Jennifer, JJ (Christopher), Kelly, Amy (Kevin), Mary, Marisa and Edward III; three great-granddaughters: Lucy, Charlotte and Lyla; sister Marie Griffin, brother John Sozzio as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Monday, November 28th, 2011 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Vista Memorial Gardens & Funeral Home, 14200 NW 57th Avenue, Miami Lakes, Florida. Funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at 10:00 am at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 15801 N.W. 67th Avenue, Miami Lakes, with internment immediately following at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery, 11411 Northwest 25th Street, Miami. The funeral mass will honor both Ida and her son Christopher who passed away two weeks ago. Our mother was not only an angel, but also a saint. We know she is happy with her husband and youngest son now, but we will miss her forever. God Bless her. View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.