Nancy DePodesta Sabath, 82, of Avon, Ohio passed away peacefully on March 12, 2023. She was born in Detroit, MI to Frank and Alice (nee Barnabo) DePodesta on June 6, 1940. She grew up in Detroit and later Farmington, MI with her brother Frank and her late sister Gail Perrin. She graduated from Farmington High School where she developed a love of art and an appreciation for education that would continue her entire life. Her childhood was filled with love, faith and family.

She graduated from Kent State University, where she was a member of the Alpha Phi sorority, making lifelong friends. At Kent, she would meet her husband of 60 years, Gary, where they had their first conversation on the back steps of the Theta Chai fraternity house. They would both later say it was love at first sight.

After Gary's military service, they were married on September 8, 1962, in Detroit, admired by family and friends. They would reside in Cleveland, OH where she taught art before starting a family. She and Gary would settle in Westlake, OH where she raised their children and served to improve her community. Like her mother, Nancy was the spiritual foundation for her family, loving and supporting their various interests and ambitions.

She would embark on a long and successful second career in early childhood education which included positions at Hanna Perkins Center, Ohio Department of Education, Oberlin Early Childhood Center, and Lorain County Community Action Agency. Nancy mentored countless educators throughout her career and was recognized for her tireless work and leadership in the community, being named an Our Children Our Future Award recipient from Lorain County Department of Mental Health (2001), Oberlin College Center for Service and Learning's Community Partner of the Year (2006), and Outstanding Woman of Achievement, Elyria YWCA in (2014). Her professional passion was the education of society's youngest and most vulnerable.

Having earned her own Master of Education from Cleveland State University, she was the model for all of her children to earn graduate and post-graduate degrees. She was an Adjunct Instructor of Early Childhood Education at Cuyahoga Community College. Over a forty-year period, her research papers were published in local and international education journals.

Nancy was spiritual, a devoted reader of the Bible. She attended Christ Church West Shore, where she was a member of the Women's Guild and served as Senior Warden of their Vestry. While living with Gary at St Mary of the Woods in Avon, Ohio, she had the joy of renewing her childhood, Catholic faith. Her convictions were an inspiration to friends and family.

Nancy was a voracious reader, an enthusiastic cook, an accomplished educator, but most importantly to her, a loving wife, devoted mother, selfless mother-in-law, and caring grandmother.

Nancy is survived by her loving husband, Gary; children: Alison Smith of Avon Lake, Ohio, Gary Sabath of Wakeman, Ohio, and Todd Sabath and wife Ady of Avon Lake, OH; grandchildren: Olivia Weinstock and husband Drew, Heather Baker and husband Josh, Kyle Smith, Brian Sabath, Daniel Sabath, and Mary Bigenho; great grandchild: Witt Weinstock; her brother Frank DePodesta of Fenton, MI, brother-in-law Kenneth Perrin of Novi, MI as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. 

 Nancy is followed in death by her beloved parents, Frank and Alice, her sister Gail and her in laws Nicholas and Mae Sabath.

Immediate family celebrated Nancy's life at a private religious service and burial. Friends and family will be invited to a memorial of her life, at a later date. www.buschcares.com 440.933.3202