Sally Bobel

Sally Ferraro Bobel, devoted wife, proud mother and grandmother, and loyal friend, died peacefully after a sustained illness on March 27, 2017, in Mason, Ohio. She was 89.
Born to Sicilian parents who entered the U.S. in the early 20th century, Sally enjoyed a rich and active life in Lorain. She was known for her spunk and style, qualities that endured throughout her life. After attending Ohio University, she assumed the position of secretary to the Lorain Safety Director and City Prosecutor in Lorain City Hall. It was there that she met the love of her life, John Bobel, a sales rep for a stationery supply company. Sally helped her husband build a successful family business, Bobel's Business Products, with its flagship store on Broadway Avenue in Lorain. At its height, Bobel's included three locations serving northern Ohio with state of the art office supplies and office interior design services. Sally supported the business through her role as John's dedicated wife and partner, and, for several years, as a member of the Lorain store staff.
John and Sally Bobel were exceptionally proud Lorainites who invested in their community even when the city faced challenges. Sally was a member of the Lakeland Women's Club, which launched Lorain Community Hospital. She also served on the board of the historic Lorain Palace, volunteered with several other local organizations, and was a life-long congregant of the Church of the Redeemer.
Sally's love of family was tremendous, and she remained closely involved in the lives of her children and grandchildren even into her late 80s. From serving as "Room Mother" to Prom Co-Chair to wedding planner to pitching in for her daughters' intrastate and cross-country moves, Sally was always generous, supportive, and willing to perform the least glamorous of tasks, all in the service of her three girls.
For decades, Sally's immaculately appointed house on the lake, with its red brick driveway, was a welcoming place for friends and family. She was a consummate, and peerless, hostess, organizing dozens of memorable beach parties, themed gatherings of friends, and elegant affairs. Anyone lucky enough to be a guest in the Bobel home came away with warm memories that lasted a lifetime.
Sally was a lifelong tennis player (a Lorain city champion in her youth) and avid golfer. She was also an intrepid traveler, logging visits to the Caribbean and Europe with her husband, John, and later with group excursions across Europe and the Middle East. She especially cherished her multiple trips to her ancestral homes in Gangi and Nicosia, Sicily.
Sally loved music of all kinds, dancing, shopping, glazed donuts, the Cleveland Cavs and, above all, laughter. One of Sally's greatest treasures was her many enduring friendships. Her incomparable wit and warmth, her bigheartedness, and her love of fun made her a beloved friend to innumerable people.
In death, she joins her husband John Bobel; her parents, Charlie and Mary Ferraro; her sister, Mary (Ferraro) Gallagher; her dear cousin, Michael (Mickey) Ferraro; and her granddaughter, Gracie James.
She is held dearly by her remaining family: her big brother, Carl Ferraro of Naples, Fla.; her daughters, Betsy (Bobel) Zelek and Jane Bobel, both of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Chris Bobel of Boston, Mass.; as well as her adored son in laws, "Sonny #1" Tim Zelek and "Sonny #2" Thomas Hartl. She also leaves a loving legacy for her grandchildren, Anne Bobel Zelek, John Bobel Zelek, Charlie Bobel Fonner, Claire Bobel, Craig Hartl, and Zoe Penzarro Habel.
Sally Bobel departs her full life having left behind many happy memories and an indelible mark on myriad lives. She was truly one of a kind.
A memorial service is planned for late spring (details to be announced later). The family invites memorial contributions to the John H. Bobel Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Sally Bobel. Checks should be made out to the Community Foundation of Lorain County and mailed to 9080 Leavitt Rd., Elyria, OH 44035. (http://www.peoplewhocare.org/funds/community-funds/john-h-bobel-memorial-scholarship-fund).