Columbus, OH — Nellie R. Saravalli, age 95, mother of Susan Saravalli, wife of former Hambletonian Society president Tom Charters, passed away surrounded by her children and their spouses on Oct. 30 at the Kobacker House in Upper Arlington, Ohio.

She was born on Nov. 8, 1926, in Seaton, Ill., to the late Nathan and Margaret (Craig) Ranney.

Nellie was raised on a farm in Seaton, Ill., with her parents and her sisters, whom she loved dearly. Life was hard on the farm, and she used those experiences as a foundation for the rest of her life. She started training to be a nurse in Galesburg, Ill., where she met her late husband of 52 years, Robert Saravalli. They lived in Maywood, Ill., and later Columbus, Ohio, for 63 years. Nellie worked at Batelle Memorial Institute for many years and later for a family physician. She then started volunteering at Riverside Hospital in the late 1970s until 2019.

After Susan married Tom, Nellie enjoyed going to The Little Brown Jug on occasion — even riding in Greg Coon’s starting gate.

Nellie will be greatly missed by her four children, Bob (Brenda), Sue (Tom), Richard (Bridget) and Janice (Dean); her grandchildren, Denise, Ashley, Nathan, Stephan, Dylan, Jilane and Blake; her numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and several great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Nellie was preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret and Martha; her niece, Phyllis; and her husband, Bob.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday (Nov. 4) at 10:30 a.m. at St. Andrew Catholic Church, 1899 McCoy Road, Columbus, OH 43220, where family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until time of mass at 10:30 a.m.

Burial will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to, Riverside Methodist Hospital, OhioHealth Hospice or Kobacker House all at https://foundation.ohiohealth.com/; or St. Andrews Parish in Upper Arlington, Ohio.