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Eleanor Marie Sabella

Eleanor Marie (Conoboy Welsh) Sabella died on May 9. She was 85.

Sabella was born on Feb. 21, 1922, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Her father, Peter Welsh, was famous for his jumping horses and was one of the founders of the Calgary Stampede. She was the 14th of 15 children and excelled in softball and as a dancer.

She met Frank Sabella in White Horse, Alaska, during World War II and the couple was married on May 5, 1946. They made their first home in Pacific Grove and purchased their second in Saratoga in 1951.

She was active in the Sacred Heart Church, and she was a co-founder of the Saratoga Filly League, the first girls softball program in Saratoga. She and her husband coached the Angels to first place for four straight seasons.

Sabella was an accomplished seamstress and taught for the 4-H Club at the old University Avenue School in Los Gatos. She also worked for many years as a volunteer in the shop that raised funds for the Ming Quong home for children.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Frank Sabella; her children John, Betty, Maria and Peggy; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and four siblings.

A graveside memorial service, complete with Scottish bagpipes, was held at the Santa Mission Cemetery on May 17. Memorial gifts may be sent to Our Lady of Fatima Villa, 20400 Saratoga-Los Gatos Road, Saratoga, CA 95070, or Pathways Hospice Foundation, 585 N. Mary Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94085.