Sloan's wife of 41 years dies of cancer
SALT LAKE CITY -- Bobbye Sloan, the wife of Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, died Friday from cancer, the team said. She was 61.
Sloan, the coach's wife of 41 years, announced in January she had a malignant tumor in her pancreas, unrelated to the breast cancer she was treated for several years ago.
"She was such a positive, upbeat person," Jazz owner Larry Miller said Friday. "There was a lot of energy and strength of character with a really positive image."
Jerry Sloan considered leaving his job to be with his wife when she got sick, but she wanted him to continue coaching. He finished the season, guiding the Jazz to a 42-40 record that left them just short of the playoffs.
After the season, Sloan said he planned to return for his 17th year with the Jazz, although that depended on his wife's health.
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| Bobbye Sloan, Jerry Sloan's wife of 41 years, passes away after battling a tumor. (AP) |
He said Sloan would have all the time he wants to decide whether to continue coaching.
"I'm not trying to anticipate what he'll really wind up doing, but I certainly hope he'll stay with the team," Miller said.
Miller hadn't spoken with Sloan and planned to give him some time with his family.
Bobbye Sloan was diagnosed with breast cancer after the Jazz's 1997 NBA Finals loss to the Chicago Bulls. She fought and won a very public battle with the disease, but had been ill before the announcement in January with flu-like symptoms.
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