Obituaries

Blossom Irene Edmunds Sniegocki

Photo of Blossom Irene Edmunds Sniegocki
BLOSSOM IRENE EDMUNDS SNIEGOCKI departed this life on Dec. 7, 2012. She is predeceased by her parents, Clarence Hamilton Edmunds and Blossom Swift Edmunds; her brother, Charles Edmunds of Knoxville; her husband, Richard and her companion and dance partner, Frank Hamlin of Little Rock. She was born at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn. on Oct. 21, 1922 and grew up on Morning Side Drive with her friends aka the Morningside Girls. The seven girls, all with sequential birthday months, played and went to school together and have remained friends throughout their lives. Irene, Marty, Betty, Jane, Frankie, Carolyn and Florrie enjoyed their summers producing neighborhood circuses complete with dance performances, puppet shows and pony riding. At age 12 she lost her father to a heart attack, leaving her mother to manage the family and send three children to college. Irene worked at a Knoxville defense plant during World War II to help pay for college. She graduated with a degree in early childhood development from the University of Tennessee, where she met her husband Richard Sniegocki. She is survived by her sister, Francis Hamilton of Norris, Tenn.; her children, Alan Sniegocki (Laura) and Ted Sniegocki, (Virginia); grandchildren, Renee and Ryan Sniegocki of Little Rock; four nephews and one niece. Irene was long time member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church dating back to its days in the Little Red School House on Kavanaugh Boulevard. She was an active member of the Little Rock Junior league and the Alpha Omicron Pi, Greater Little Rock Alumnae Chapter. Known as Miss Irene to dozens of pre-school youngsters at First Christian Church, she always enjoyed getting hugs from her former students. Irene may be best remembered by her friends for her always-ready smile and compassion for others. She will be remembered by her children as a loving Mom who was always there when needed, and by her grand children as GiGi, a grandmother with an endless hug. She enjoyed life indoors and out, including dancing at the Tijuana Dance Club, dinners at Hanks Doghouse, camping with family and friends on Lake Ouachita, vacations with neighbors at Pensacola, afternoon bridge games and sewing club, and evenings with the "Saturday night girls." She marched for the March of Dimes and participated in her sorority chapter's fund raising for the Arthritis Foundation. In later years she enjoyed picnics on the Little Maumelle Creek and camping on the Buffalo River with her family. Even though she was a Razorback fan, she never failed to watch the Tennessee Volunteer's televised football games. Her family is grateful to Emeritus at Chenal Heights Retirement Living, Good Shepherd Nursing and Rehabilitation and Odyssey Hospice for helping Irene through her final years of life with love and comfort. A service to celebrate Irene's life will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi Avenue, Little Rock, Ark. on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 at 11 a.m. She will be laid to rest in the columbarium located in the courtyard of the church immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Mark's Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi Avenue, Little Rock, 72207 or to St. Francis House 2701 South Elm Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72204. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Published December 9, 2012

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