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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN MEMORIAM OF PHOEBE SNOWE
WHEREAS, Brian Rosenwald, aka Phoebe Snowe, 72, was born June 11th, 1952 and passed away February 19, 2025, peacefully at home in Chicago's Rogers Park surrounded by loved ones; and
WHEREAS, Brian was born in Evanston, raised in Glencoe, Brian graduated from New Trier High School before studying journalism at Fordham University in the Bronx, New York; and
WHEREAS, Brian worked as a reservation and customer service agent at Amtrak and rose amongst the ranks to serve as General Manager of the Santa Fe line. The position took Brian from Washington, D.C. to Boston, to Chicago, to Detroit to Los Angeles; and
WHEREAS, Brian then served as the GM of all western-bound trains and was tasked with refining the Coast Starlight Express (Seattle to LA). He oversaw the rebuilding of vintage cars and created an exclusive club for sleeper car occupants. Brian scheduled on-board wine tastings and entertainment and gave a controversial and characteristically visionary 100% service guarantee. Brian was proud to be an excellent boss who believed in his employees. He retired as a Vice President at Amtrak in 2013; and
WHEREAS, Brian moved to the Sherwin on the Lake, a lovely apartment complex in Rogers Park, and was finally able to live openly as Phoebe Snowe, a dynamic and fashionable woman. Phoebe Snowe was in honor of a railroad model the former Lackawanna Railroad passenger flagship Brian met. Phoebe found great freedom and acceptance in Rogers Park, where there really is room for everybody; and
WHEREAS, a longtime wine connoisseur, Phoebe embarked upon a new labor of love, becoming co-owner of Taste Food & Wine on Jarvis, where she conducted richly informative and entertaining tastings for 10+ years. All who had the pleasure to meet Phoebe came away with a greater knowledge of wine, and greater love; and
WHEREAS, Phoebe served as the 13th District Women’s Commissioner. Phoebe joined the Commission to share her unique perspective on life’s challenges and help the commission grow and expand its understanding. Phoebe’s management experience, people skills, and her beautiful sense of empathy made her a force of nature; and
WHEREAS, Phoebe is survived by her dear friend and former spouse of 33 years, Susan Hinda Rosenwald (nee Kolson) of Evanston, IL; son Alex (Madeline) Rosenwald of Fairfax, VA and one daughter in Elmhurst, IL; two grandchildren (plus one on the way); and siblings Larry (Cynthia Schwan), Kent (Cecily), and Cynthia Rosenwald. She was preceded in death by her parents Alan Kenneth Rosenwald and Charlotte Heitlinger Rosenwald. She leaves behind many dear friends including her business partners Sandra Carter and Renee Labrana; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby offer its deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathy to the family and many friends of Phoebe Snowe; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this Resolution be tendered to the family as a token of the esteem held by the President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the Cook County Board of Commissioners.
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