Bobbye Sloan, wife of Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan, passed away today at the age of 61. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January. She had also fought off breast cancer in the past.

Jerry and Bobbye were married for 41 years, and Sloan considered leaving coaching to be with her; but she urged him to continue coaching.

"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."