Priscilla Snow Algava

Priscilla Snow Algava lived a fuller-than-full life glowing with love, art, color, people, light, boundless possibility, and generous spirit from July 21, 1940 to April 23, 2019. She recently described her explorations in art and living as “communicating the grief and difficulties of living a passionate life and always gleaning the kernel of joy, of sunshine, of magic in the moment that is Now.” Priscilla died peacefully in her Princeton, NJ, home surrounded by a circle of loving family and friends, mirroring her vibrant paintings and drawings of dancing women. Throughout the past three very difficult years since a stage 4 cancer diagnosis, Priscilla exuded grace, determination, courage, and passion, supported by her devoted daughters, husband, and caregivers, along with her Sloan Kettering family. She continued seeing — and creating — beauty everywhere. In the midst of this uphill journey, she taught us how living and dying are truly about the same thing. Love.

The first in her family to attend college, Priscilla graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in English and education and earned a master’s degree in studio art and art education from DePauw University. A brilliant artist and lifelong learner and teacher, Priscilla’s limitless faith in each and every human being gifted her students, friends, family, and every soul she met the ability to see beauty, create beauty, and love the beauty in our lives.

From Marist College to South Brunswick Schools to the Princeton YWCA and the West Windsor Arts Council, Priscilla created artistic spaces of imagination, safety, possibility, and love. She was active in local and regional art groups such as Art+10, the Art Station, Trenton Artists Workshop Association, the 3rd Street Gallery in Philadelphia, and so many more. “Wondrous on Witherspoon,” the pop-up gallery Priscilla launched celebrated, in her words, “the kaleidoscope of our joint commitment to art-making, creativity, community, teaching, and learning.” Priscilla had been generously offered the space to use for displaying her own artwork, but that was inconceivable to her. She immediately invited over 40 professional and emerging artists from the Princeton and Trenton areas to create and share a community gallery.

Priscilla embodied unconditional love and filled everyone who knew her with purple light. Born in the Bronx, NY, she was the devoted eldest daughter of Irving and Rachel Snow. Priscilla leaves a cosmic hole in the lives and hearts of countless friends and relatives, including her three sisters, Bobbi Snow, Sheila Snow, and Madeline Hayden; two daughters and a son-in-law, Alisa and Carin Algava and Michael Gow; grandchildren, Drew and Sabria Algava, whom she deeply adored; husband, Martin Silverman; and wuzband, Andy Algava.

For Shiva times and locations, and more information, please visit: caringbridge.org/visit/priscillasnowalgava.

Instead of a graveside burial, Priscilla’s ashes will ultimately be let go in places she loved like Santorini, Cape Cod, and the Adirondacks. Instead of flowers, please consider a donation to the Priscilla Snow Algava Scholarship Fund at the West Windsor Arts Council.

We must now surround each other and our world with Priscilla’s see-beauty-everywhere light and love.

Arrangements are under the direction of Star of David Memorial Chapel of Princeton.

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Bruce Adin LaBar

Bruce Adin LaBar, age 86, died peacefully on April 18th at Morris Hall in Lawrenceville, NJ. Bruce is survived by son Phil LaBar of Plainsboro and daughter, Jeanette MacCallum of Brentwood, TN, and three grandchildren, Christina Jezioro of Brentwood, TN, Jacob Jezioro of Boston, MA, and Bruce Adrian LaBar of Manville. He is predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Marion Moll LaBar.

Bruce was raised in Minerva, NY, in the Adirondack Mountains where his parents operated Morningside Camps and Cottages, a seasonal retreat for its guests, offering 80 private acres on Minerva Lake. Along with his brother, Frank, Bruce aided his father in constructing and maintaining the cabins and grounds. During the off-season, the LaBar family cultivated a Christmas tree grove and operated a maple syrup farm. Morningside remains in the LaBar family and is now owned and managed by Bruce’s nephew, David LaBar. The extended family and many friends have enjoyed countless visits and reunions in this idyllic setting to this day.

Bruce attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, where he met his eventual wife, Marion while singing in the chapel choir. Upon graduation with a degree in Commerce and Finance in 1954, Bruce served as a radio operator in the US Army in Fairbanks, AK. His army tenure ended in June 1956, the same month of his marriage to Marion. After completing an MBA at The Wharton School, Bruce enjoyed a successful career in accounting, finance, and investment analysis working for Arthur Andersen, Waddell & Reed, Lionel Edie & Co., and the Division of Investment for the State of New Jersey from which he retired in 1992.

Bruce enjoyed a wide variety of hobbies including woodworking, forestry, canoeing, hiking, skiing, photography, genealogical research, square dancing, bridge, tennis, and antique glass collecting. He was a voracious reader with a particular interest in world history. Bruce and Marion especially enjoyed traveling together, often with friends. They attended many classical music concerts and regularly enjoyed opera productions. Their greatest passion was choral singing and they sang in a choir together every year of their married lives. They sang in the Nassau Presbyterian Church Choir in Princeton for over 45 years.

In more recent years, Bruce and Marion resided at Princeton Windrows where they maintained an active social life and served on numerous committees. They also established the Moll-LaBar Family Scholarship at Bucknell University for students with demonstrated financial need and took pleasure in getting to know student recipients. Bruce and Marion nurtured relationships with many, but nothing gave them more pleasure than spending time with their children and grandchildren.

Bruce’s health declined after his diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease in 2015. After Marion’s death, the light went out of his eyes as he simultaneously struggled with memory loss, but his sweet, steady spirit never departed. A memorial service will take place at Nassau Presbyterian Church, Princeton on Friday, May 3rd at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the fellowship hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Music Fund at Nassau Presbyterian Church or the Moll-LaBar Family Scholarship at Bucknell University. Arrangements are under the direction of The Mather-Hodge Funeral Home.

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Helen Dane Schwartz

June 14, 1935 — April 26, 2019

Helen Dane Schwartz died Friday, April 26, after a short battle with lung cancer. She was 83. Helen was known for her work in the community as an artist, a basket weaver, and board member at the Princeton Adult School. She is survived by her son Eric Schwartz (Patty), of Wilmington, daughter Lisa of New York City, and three grandchildren, Will, Maddie, and Drue. Services are pending.

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Memorial Service

Katharine Salter Pinneo

April 16, 1930 — March 16, 2019

A memorial service to celebrate Kay’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 11 at Trinity Church, 33 Mercer Street, Princeton. All are welcome at a reception in Pierce-Bishop Hall following the service.