Ruth Sabatella

Ruth Sabatella at age 92, passed away in her home on the 4th. of December. She and her husband Joseph have eight children: John and wife Vicki, Steven, Michael, Joseph and wife Carol, Philip, Thomas, Mary, and Clarissa. She has three granddaughters: Ashton, daughter of Clarissa, husband Will and their son, a great-grandson, Grant; Veronica, daughter of Mary and Taylor, daughter of Thomas; One grandson, Vincent, son of Steven. Ruth was the youngest and only girl in the family of her mother Valentine and father John Bernacki. She had three brothers: Thomas, wife Lorraine, both deceased and their two daughters Paula and Marylou, husband Mark and their two children; Reverend William (John) Bernacki OP, and Jerome, wife Dorothy both deceased and their three children. Ruth's sister-in-law, Philma Hinkhouse and husband Alfred, deceased and their six children were her close, loving, and extended family. Ruth was born in 1931 in Norwood Park, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. She attended St. Tarcisius Grammar School and St. Patrick Academy in Desplaines, Illinois. She married Joe on the 16th. of August, 1952. They lived in Chicago until Joe returned to the University of Illinois to pursue studies for a Master of Fine Arts degree. While an undergraduate Joe enrolled in ROTC and was commissioned a 2nd. Lt. in the U.S. Army. He was sent to El Paso, Texas for training as an Anti-Aircraft Artillery Officer. After Joe completed two years of active duty, they lived in Lombard, Illinois where Joe worked for the fabric firm Elenhank Designers in Riverside Illinois. They lived in nearby Lombard, Illinois until 1959 when Joe was offered a teaching position at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida. From the first day she walked the sandy soil of Gainesville in 1960, she was delighted to be in the warmth of the South. As the children advanced in age, she managed to pursue her two favorite activities, playing golf and bridge. Her friendships grew as she interacted with faculty wives and female faculty at social events and many other gatherings. Neighbors became close friends. Ruth always wore a smile and her loving ways will be missed. A funeral mass is scheduled for Saturday, the 6th. of January,11:30 AM. at Holy Faith Catholic Church, 747 N.W. 43rd. St., Gainesville, with interment to follow in Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central.

Ruth Sabatella

December 4, 2023