Sophie A. Snarski

CAVENDISH - Sophie A. Snarski, 95, of Cavendish, died Sunday, October 23, 2011, at Springfield Hospital in Springfield, Vt.

She was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on April 30, 1916, daughter of Antoni and Mary (Wierzbicki) Antoniewicz. Sophie was the salutatorian of her 1933 graduating class at Mount St. Joseph Academy in Rutland. She married John W. Snarski on June 13, 1942. She was predeceased by John, who died in 1993.

Mrs. Snarski worked at the United States Postal Service and became the Cavendish postmaster in 1975. She was active in town and school affairs and had served as a town auditor. Sophie also served as treasurer of the Duttonsville School. She was a charter member of the Altar Society of Holy Name of Mary Church and a life member of the Ballard Hobart Post 36, American Legion Auxiliary. She was a "violin player" having played with several orchestras and groups in the 1930s and '40s and later with the Vermont Old Time Fiddlers. In addition, she was an accompanist for the organist at Holy Name of Mary Church in Proctorsville.

Sophie also traveled throughout Europe, including her parents' homeland of Poland. While traveling in Rome, she met and spoke with Pope (now Saint) John Paul II. She also visited the Caribbean and Mexico.

Survivors include four sons, John W. Snarski Jr. of Bakersfield, Vt., Robert A. Snarski and his wife Sally-Anne of Shrewsbury, Vt., Arthur S. Snarski and his wife Lynda of Dummerston, Vt., and James M. Snarski and his wife Bonnie of Bartonsville, Vt.; a sister, Arlene Bobrowski and her husband John of Knoxville, Tennessee; three granddaughters, Cara Stickney, Erin Nelson and Anna Snarski; a step-granddaughter, Kristi Richardson; and three great-grandchildren, Susanna, Bryn and Warren. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur Antoniewicz who died in 2005, and an infant brother, Narcissus Antoniewicz in 1921.

Visiting hours at the Adams Funeral Home in Ludlow are Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, at 10 a.m. in Holy Name of Mary Church in Proctorsville. Burial will follow in the Cavendish Village Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Flood Irene, in care of the Cavendish Town Office, PO Box 126, Cavendish, VT 05142; or to Holy Name of Mary Altar Society, Main Street, Proctorsville, VT 05153.