HOWALD, ERMA LOUISE (SNOW) - It is with much sadness the family announces the passing of Erma on Sunday, August 21, 2011, at the Church of St. John & St. Stephen Home following a long period of declining health. The daughter of the late Howard and the late Lila Snow, Erma lived her life in the South End except for a brief period overseas during the early years of her marriage. Prior to her hospitalization, Erma was active in many community organizations, willingly sharing her energy and opinions in support of public programs. For many years, Erma and her late husband owned and operated the White Rose/Shell service station on St. James St. and in later years, she owned and operated Friendly's Convenience, Pitt Street. Erma took great pride in the accomplishments of her sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Left to mourn are her son, Ray and his wife Rona, grandson Jeff and granddaughters Shawnna (James Janes), Tracy (Steve Foote), and Jennifer; great granddaughters Madelaine Hoyt and Macey Foote; brothers Eric (Phyllis) Snow of Calgary, Alta, and Wayne (Louise) Snow of Kingston, NB; aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and members of the Getson family: Bruce, Brian, Calvin, Gary, Larry, Nelson and Carol, with whom she remained close.
Erma was predeceased by her parents, her husband George, her sons Brian and Ricky, her brothers Sheldon, Ernie, Ralph, Stanley, Bobbie and Richard. Erma was also predeceased by her companion Keith Getson.
Resting at Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, with visiting on Tuesday, August 23 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. The funeral service will be held from Brenan's Chapel on Wednesday, August 24, 2011 at 12:00 noon, followed by interment at Ocean View Memorial Gardens. The family requests that as expressions of sympathy, remembrances be made to Romero House or the IWK. The family wishes to thank the many caring professionals who provided such compassionate care for Erma during her lengthy illness. Online condolences may be placed at www.brenansfh.com.