Helen Hammond Snow

Helen Hammond Snow, 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 sepa-rate 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.