The widow of a former Brent Mayor who was always at her husband’s side throughout his time in local politics has died – seven months after losing her soul mate.
Joan Snow, of Norton Road, Wembley, wife of Len Snow, passed away yesterday at the age of 90.
The couple were well known characters in the borough and were rarely seen apart during their 70-year marriage.
As well as being the Labour mayor for the borough from 1976 to 1977, Mr Snow was political campaigner and had penned a number of history books covering different parts of the borough.
In 2012, the couple were recognised as having one of the longest marriages in the borough at a ceremony held by Brent Council.
Dawn Butler, Labour Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Brent Central, became friends with Mr and Mrs Snow after winning the Brent South seat in 2005.
She said: “They were a formidable couple. True comrades. Open and welcoming and an example of how politics could be.
“They will be greatly missed. Len continued complaining until his 90th birthday he was still knocking on doors.
“Wembley won’t be the same without them but they have left a legacy.”
Sue Dorman, the couple’s daughter, has written an obituary in tribute of her mother
She said: “Apart from her work with the Labour Party, Joan was perhaps best known for her instant poems, her comic tales and her generosity of spirit.
“Joan grew up in Harlesden. On leaving school she took a secretarial course and came out top of the class in typing and shorthand, skills which she retained and used regularly almost till the end. She was also a talented pianist and particularly loved jazz.
“Joan met Len when they were both evacuated to Northampton at the start of the War and they had 70 amazing years of marriage, travelling all over the world, getting heavily involved in local politics and bringing up their two children.
“Joan was a governor at Hay Lane School, a school in Kingsbury for children with special needs. She was brilliant with the kids and they all loved her!
“Known in the family as ‘bionic woman’ for the number of operations and illnesses (including cancer) that she survived, Joan’s last few months were spent in a nursing home in Chalfont St Peter, to be near her children who live in the next village.
“Joan’s wish was for her body to go to medical science so no funeral/cremation is planned at the moment.
“However, either that or a memorial service will be arranged in due course.”
Joan Snow (November 8, 1923 – June 11, 2014) leaves behind daughter Susan, 66, son Ralph, 63, and two grandsons Benjamin, 30, and 26-year-old Jonathan.
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