Eleanor Sakaly Rugg

RUGG, Eleanor "Ellie" Sakaly, 80, of St. Petersburg, died peacefully September 7, 2007 at St. Anthony's Hospital. Ellie was born on August 22, 1927, in Lakeland, Florida, to Hungarian immigrants, Frank and Julia Sakaly. Ellie was a Lakeland High School Dreadnaught, class of 1944. She was predeceased by her first husband, Joseph W. Nicholson, in 1954. She remarried in 1956 to William G. Rugg, who passed away in 2003. Ellie and Bill were married for 47 years. Ellie is survived by her older sister, Anna Shull who lives in Canton, Georgia, by her two sons and their wives, Glen and Stephanie who live in St. Petersburg and Joe and Beth who live in Tampa, by her two grandsons, Zachary a senior at Plant High School and Caleb a senior at the FSU Film School, and by her nieces and nephews, Ric Royce, Molly Royce Shinn, Becky Royce, Bill Royce, and Jody Royce. Ellie worked as a medical technologist at Bayfront Medical Center and St. Petersburg General Hospital for over 25 years before she retired. Ellie was passionate about her family, her friends, and her community. She was an avid bridge player and sports fan. Ellie never missed watching the Devil Rays on TV -- she was one of their biggest fans. She was also active in many community and charitable organizations: All Children's Hospital Auxiliary, the Woman's Service League, the Stuart Society at the Museum of Fine Arts where Ellie was a docent, and the St. Petersburg Historical Museum. She loved the arts and regularly attended the American Stage Theatre and the Florida Symphony Orchestra performances. Ellie was a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, where she attended when her health permitted. During the last two years, Ellie lived at the Bon Secours assisted living facility in St. Petersburg, where she had many friends and shared many good times. She was looking forward to next month's Oktoberfest party. A visitation will be held Saturday, September 15th from 2:00 p.m. until service time at 3:00 p.m., at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Blvd. NE, St. Petersburg. Father Christopher Schuller officiating. Flowers are welcome; however, those who wish may make donations to the All Children's Hospital Foundation or to the Woman's Service League.