Carmella Sabaugh Obituary, Warren MI, Former Macomb County Clerk has died: Carmella Sabaugh, a dedicated public servant who rose from being a stay-at-home mom to a prominent political figure, passed away on June 8 at the age of 85. Known for her long tenure as the Macomb County Clerk, Sabaugh held the position for six terms and earned numerous county awards. Her political career began in 1975 when she was elected to the Warren City Council. She later served as the city clerk for 11 years before being elected as the Macomb County Clerk in 1992, a position she held through successive re-elections until 2012.
Sabaugh’s life was marked by a series of notable achievements and firsts. She was particularly recognized for her effective interpersonal communication skills, which endeared her to many and made her a natural in politics, according to her son, Judge Matthew Sabaugh. Despite being orphaned at a young age and raised by relatives, she graduated from Denby High School in Detroit and attended Wayne State University and Western Michigan University.
In addition to her local government service, Sabaugh ran as the Democratic candidate for Michigan Secretary of State in 2006, though she was defeated by the Republican incumbent, Terri Lynn Land. Her legacy includes significant advancements in public service, such as developing a top-tier real estate and fraud detection system, modernizing real estate records, and simplifying jury duty. Sabaugh’s work was recognized nationally, earning her office 65 awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo).
Sabaugh’s positive outlook and dedication to public service were highlighted by her family’s reflections and the tributes from colleagues and friends. Former Macomb County Circuit Court Judge Mary Chrzanowski praised her as a remarkable wife, mother, friend, and public servant who inspired many women in their professional and political careers.
