Sabra Irwin Ives (Ubbie) Schell

Sabra Irwin Ives Schell went to be with Jesus and her beloved husband Pat early in the morning of April 1, 2024. She was born in Smithfield, NC on August 18, 1929, to Annette and John Ives, the fourth of six children. In 1942 she moved with her family to Raleigh where she graduated from Broughton High School in 1947. It was there that she met her future husband, Pat Schell, who was a year older. Entries in the school yearbook (The Latipac) indicate that there was a spark between them, but they would not reconnect seriously until the early 50's when he returned from service in Japan and college at Chapel Hill.

Ubbie, as she was known in those days and throughout much of her adult life, made many fast friends at Broughton, most notably Annie Taylor. She and Annie had a special life-long bond that united their future families in a unique friendship that survives to this day.

After high school, Ubbie graduated Business School at Peace College in Raleigh and worked at Carolina Power and Light. She was an excellent typist and later worked at the NC State Legislature. Her most interesting job was the "secret", one-day-a-week position that she had for years while raising her family. Every Tuesday she was off to the mystery job. She wouldn't talk about it and no questions were allowed. We're not even sure if Daddy knew what she did. Years later, Margaret finally got her to open up. Turns out there was a secret sub-basement in the bowels of a now-demolished building on Oberlin Road in Cameron Village. Ubbie was one of a battalion of typists staffing an emergency communications center in case we were attacked by the Communists.

Fortunately, that attack never came, and Raleigh continued to be a peaceful place to live. Ubbie and Pat had resumed their romance and were married in 1952. They built a relationship based on mutual respect and commitment that would stand the test of time. They had four children, Patrick, Margaret, Johnny and Sabra. Together they created a home environment that was loving and fun, but which emphasized respect and responsibility and a willingness to work hard and always do your best. Mama was the solid foundation of our home, always there to offer support and encouragement, and always fun to talk with. She was easy to be around, optimistic, positive, and always polite.

Ubbie shared with Pat a strong love for the North Carolina coast. There were always summer vacations at the beach. Eventually they evolved into major expeditions with multiple families. Annie Taylor had married William Teague and had three children. For many years the Schell and Teague families went to Atlantic Beach and shared the Billie Bee cottage on the sound side. On either side were the Spears and Conn families, each in their own cottage with their own kids. Great fun was had. There was swimming, sailing, waterskiing, and late-night shrimping trips to Shackleford Banks that oftentimes yielded large quantities of fresh caught crustaceans. The next day Ubbie and Annie would put on a big shrimp boil, and we'd all enjoy a great feast. All this because of the enduring friendship of these two wonderful women.

In 1978 Ubbie and Pat bought their own house in Morehead City on Shepard Street overlooking Bogue Sound. This great early 20th century house became the center of beach activities for many years, and when Pat retired in 1992, they took up full-time residence. At this time, Ubbie decided to drop her long-time nickname and just be Sabra. Old friends and family were still allowed to call her Ubbie. These were great years for the two of them. They were both blessed with good health and made many new friends in the neighborhood and at their new church. The gentle sound waters were just right for the new grandchildren who had recently arrived. The Sanitary Fish Market was close by, and a fishing boat captain neighbor regularly hooked them up with fresh shrimp.

After 25 years in Morehead City, Sabra and Pat moved in 2017 to Waltonwood Cary Parkway retirement community for the final years of their life. They were active in the independent living section until Pat broke his hip in 2018. They moved to assisted living and Pat died in April of 2021. Sabra soldiered on, saddened but not broken by the loss of her husband of 69 years. There is perhaps no greater testament to her faith in Jesus than how she thought of death in her final years. She frequently made it known that she was ready to be with Jesus and see her beloved Pat again. Margaret told us of a conversation she had with Mama where she asked, "How old am I?". "94", said Margaret, and Mama replied, "Oooooh! I should be dead now!"

One of the pillars of Sabra's life was her faith in Jesus Christ. She and Pat were faithful Christians who gained great strength and comfort from the teachings of the Bible. Before she married, Sabra attended the Church of the Good Shepard in downtown Raleigh for which she had fond memories all her life. Following her marriage to Pat, she joined him at White Memorial Presbyterian Church where they were members until moving to Morehead City. There they joined the First Presbyterian Church. Even more important than her church life was how her everyday life reflected the true values of Christianity. She spent many hours helping aging friends and family, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. She was unfailingly courteous and compassionate, humble, but with a rock-solid faith in her Lord and Savior which guided her constantly.

Sabra was predeceased by her husband Pat Schell, her parents John and Annette, her sister Eliza Stoner and husband James, her brother John (Bunny), her sister Ann Adams and husband Reg, and her sister Sue Ives.

She is survived by her sister Sallie Robenolt, her children Patrick (Ellen), Margaret, Johnny (Eron) and Sabra, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

The family wishes to extend their deepest love and gratitude to all the staff at Waltonwood Cary, who truly loved both our parents and took such compassionate and excellent care of them until the end. We can never fully express the depth of our appreciation for their participation in our parents' lives.

A celebration of Sabra's life will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm in the Theater Room at Waltonwood Cary Parkway, 750 SE Cary Parkway, Cary, NC 27511.

The family also wishes to thank the staff at Transitions Life Care's Hospice House in Raleigh, for helping Mama transition peacefully and painlessly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh NC, 27607.

Arrangements provided by Brown-Wynne, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.