Edward Donald Snow
A Remarkable Man
The remarkable Edward Donald Snow, accomplished architect, unofficial historian, Winthrop enthusiast, avid reader, and memorable storyteller, passed away suddenly on Thursday, August 22, 2024, just three months shy of his 89th birthday.
Born November 15, 1935 in Boston and a native of Winthrop, Edward was the only child of Donald Burnham Snow and Eunice Toothaker. Raised in the house at 59 Cottage Avenue, Winthrop, Edward was able to spend a lot of time with his three uncles (Nicholas Hopkins Snow, Winthrop James Snow and Edward Rowe Snow), and other family members.
“I always thought that Edward looked just like his uncle Edward Rowe Snow, an American writer and historian who authored around 100 books. Edward Rowe Snow was also known for carrying on the tradition of the “Flying Santa” for over forty years (1936–1980).” Edward’s lineage traces back to the first settlers in Plymouth, Massachusetts (Nicholas and Constance Hopkins Snow).
Edward Donald Snow, always known to be intelligent and funny, attended and graduated from Winthrop Senior High School (1949 – 1953) and went on to study architecture at Boston Architectural College (1962 – 1967), becoming a well-known architect eventually starting his own business, Edward D. Snow Architecture Service in Winthrop — always sharing the histories of buildings and architecture in and around the Boston Winthrop area with those who were curious and with others who were not, as was most often the case.
Edward had an amazing memory recall, providing many details for structures he designed, stories about business colleagues, and conversations with people he knew, and he was always sharing his thoughts and remembrances with friends and family members. Even after retirement, Edward kept up with architectural trends by immersing himself in online architectural news and journals, and also by reading “many” “many” “many” “many” and I mean “many”….magazines like Architectural Record.
As hard as it may seem, Edward found something he loved more than architecture when he met and married the love of his life, Mrs. Judith J. Packard, at St. Barnabas Episcopalian Church, East Middlebury, Vermont on July 25, 1964. Amazingly, their first meeting wasn’t love at first sight as she
slammed the front door in his face (Edward and Judith told me this story many times and laughed about it) but I am happy to tell you that they just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. The best way that I could describe it is that the architect and teacher were meant to be together as best friends and soulmates. This union gave them two beautiful daughters: Sophia Snow and Hester Elizabeth Snow (May 26, 1969, Boston, Massachusetts – June 14, 2001, London, England).
Hester was taken too young and missed every day since. Edward and Judith leaned on each other during this difficult time as their love was tested by trials and tribulations; somehow always finding strength and comfort within each other.
Over the years, Edward and Judith lived in many places around Boston, but they always came back to 59 Cottage Avenue; this is the last place they lived together. In March of 2022, the house was condemned by the city, sold at auction, their worldly possessions were lost, and they were robbed of memories by Judith’s dementia, but Edward and Judith kept the most precious thing of all, which was their love for each other. When you think of Edward Donald Snow, remember two things; 1. Edward loved with his whole heart, laughed and smiled when telling stories because this brought him great joy. 2. The love that Edward and Judith shared was remarkable like him, never wavering and always at the forefront.
A remembrance gathering was held on September 4, 2024 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Buonfiglio Funeral Home in Revere to celebrate the life of Edward Donald Snow as he was truly a special person.
Nancy Marie McHugh
Retired community nurse and member of Winthrop’s Cottage Park Yacht Club
Nancy Marie McHugh, 86, died at the Parc at Harbor View, a senior living facility in Winthrop, on August 25, 2024, after a long illness.
Born in Dorchester on March 29, 1938, The daughter of Michael Mahoney and Nancy Toohey Mahoney of Milton, she was a graduate of Milton High School and Laboure College of Healthcare, both in Milton.
In 1960, she married Thomas J. McHugh of Waltham. They remained married until his passing in 2020. After initially living in Watertown, in 1969 they moved to Melrose, where they resided until 2006, when they moved to Winthrop.
They had five children: Thomas M. McHugh of San Francisco, California, Joanne Stafford of Winthrop, Maureen Jones of Chelsea, Christine McHugh Sirard of Amherst and Brian McHugh of Portland, Oregon.
Nancy worked in various healthcare positions at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital in Melrose for over 30 years. After her time at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, she continued as a community nurse and caregiver in Winthrop and other communities.
She was an avid reader who was an active part of her community. During their retirement, she and Thomas became members of the Cottage Park Yacht Club in Winthrop. They also enjoyed travel, both in Europe and across America.
Family and friends are cordially invited to attend the visitation from the Caggiano-O’Maley-Frazier Funeral Home, Winthrop on Friday, September 6 from 4 to 7 p.m. followed by a funeral service in the funeral home at 7 p.m,
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.caggianofuneralhome.com.