Shelley Sax-Eldridge, who helped found Stern Pinball in 1986, has passed away after a brave fight with cancer.
Sax-Eldridge worked alongside Founder Gary Stern for more than 40 years, wearing many hats, such as receptionist, purchasing clerk, bookkeeper, traffic manager, personnel manager, office manager, and administrative assistant. The title on her business card lovingly became J.O.A.T. (Jack-of-All-Trades) and never changed during her time at Stern Pinball.
“Without Shelley, there would be no Stern Pinball,” says Gary Stern, Chairman and Founder. “Shelley embodied our company’s entrepreneurial, get-it-done spirit. More importantly, she was one of my closest and dearest friends and I will miss her.”
Sax-Eldridge began her career working for four buyers in the furniture department at Montgomery Ward. As she started developing her organizational skills, management took notice and moved her up the company ladder. In 1979, a friend told her about an opening for an Executive Assistant position at a pinball company. She went to the interview, accepted the job on the spot, and the rest is history.
“Despite her occasionally profane protestations to the contrary, Shelley absolutely loved what she did and being part of the Stern Pinball family,” says Stern. “We will never forget Shelley. Her immense contributions to our company and the pinball industry will live on forever. Rest in peace, Shelley.”
Sax-Eldridge is survived by her husband Larry Eldridge, brother and sister-in-law Steve and Dianne Sax, and niece Misty Sax.
