In Memoriam Judith Snow October 29, 1949 - May 31, 2015

It is with profound sorrow that the Communist Party of Canada (Marxist-Leninist) announces the passing of our dear comrade Judith A. Snow on the evening of May 31, 2015. The Party sends heartfelt condolences to Judith's family, comrades and friends in this time of great loss and sorrow.

Judith Snow was born in Oshawa. As a baby, it was discovered that she was different than most babies and had limited movement and would never walk. This surely would have relegated her to a short and marginalized life except that Judith and her practical British parents were insistent that she be permitted to fully develop her gifts and make her contribution to society. And that she did with great gusto, becoming a trail-blazer on several fronts and from living life to the fullest.

Judith challenged all the predictions of the medical establishment and the fate Canadian institutions had in store for her and vehemently rejected being pathologized and labelled "disabled."

In 1980, with the help of family and friends in her Joshua Committee, Judith was the first person in Canada to receive individualized funding from the government so that she could live independently, not in an institution. She had to fight to maintain that support year after year but this opened the door for more than 600 people in Ontario and countless others across Canada to demand and receive state funding for their needs as well.

Academically Judith excelled, first getting a BA in mathematics, then a Master's in clinical psychology and then in enrolling a PhD program at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. She was the author of numerous articles published worldwide and the books What's Really Worth Doing and How To Do It, as well as the autobiographical From Behind the Piano. She also contributed to the play, The Book of Judith. Describing herself as a social inventor and advocate, Judith was also an artist who founded the Laser Eagles Art Guild, a group of painters who have exhibited widely including at the Royal Ontario Museum.

Judith's exploits were legendary. She travelled extensively throughout North American and Europe and lectured extensively to promote the integration of people with special needs in all aspects of life. Her focus was on ensuring that everyone's right to have a full life is recognized. She vehemently opposed the lack of respect afforded to people with special needs who are treated as a drain on society, not treasured for their gifts and contributions. She looked at people's different abilities and limitations as gifts to the society that build social solidarity and create practical solutions that benefit everyone based on how society can meet people's needs.

Judith won the tremendous admiration of all who knew her. Nothing would stymy her. Nothing would stop her. Her achievements are the stuff stories are written about.

Judith was a treasured member of the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada and represented the Party as a candidate three times federally and once provincially. She profoundly understood that the rights of people could only be guaranteed with the renewal of the political system in Canada. She joined many causes dear to her heart and made friends everywhere she went.

Details of the funeral will be forthcoming. In the meantime, visitation is taking place over the next three days until June 3 at:

Apt. 812 (buzz #170)
Robert Cooke Co-Op
20 Garnett Janes Rd.
Toronto, ON, M8V 3Z1
647-710-4501