Mercedes Sabio, producer
Mercedes Sabio passed away on August 29, 2018 following a battle with cancer. She was surrounded by loving family who will all miss her dearly.
Mercedes was best known for her work in public television. For nearly 30 years, she was part of the PBS family through her production, programming, and leadership roles at the WGBH, WOUB, WTVI, and NHPTV stations.
Mercedes was a creative force and an accomplished producer. Her productions included the Realidades series at WNET/13 in New York City and the EMMY-Nominated La Plaza series at WGBH-TV Channel 2 in Boston. She also produced Take Me to Your Leaders and Go Figure for WOUB, Chihuly in Charlotte for WTVI, and Golden: The Hobey Baker Story and Wild New Hampshire for NHPTV. These and others of her works received numerous accolades and recognition for excellence, including EMMY, OBIE, TELLY, and CINE Golden Eagle Awards.
After her retirement from media, she gave back to the community through a second career as a medical translator. Mercedes is remembered as a kind, intelligent, and inspiring woman both personally and professionally. Her loss is felt deeply, but her example and legacy continue to provide strength to those who had the privilege of knowing her.
I met and worked with Mercedes on the Realidades series at WNET in NY. In 1978 when I was invited to join the WGBH family to develop and produce their first Hispanic/Latino themed series, I knew she needed to be my partner in this venture – that became the “La Plaza” series. Mercedes and her daughter Amanda moved to Cambridge, and she joined me as the Associate Producer. Together we shaped and honed what became “La Plaza.” It was she who urged me to become the Host of the series. She who helped me improve my Spanish writing, and together we formed “Los Amigis de La Plaza” as as a vehicle to keep us connected to the community. Together we pieced the first series logo visuals of a mosaic of Boston Latino faces and places on a $500.00 budget for the artwork, and Claudio Ragazzi’s jingle. We worked ardently and diligently and had fun doing so.
When I became Executive Producer of Local Programming, she stepped in to be the series producer, and did a marvelous job. It was an honor to know and work with her and see her evolve professionally as she moved forward in the PBS world. I’m deeply grateful for her presence in my professional and personal life. Gracias y Adios Amiga y colega.”
I am so sorry to hear this news. We never worked together per se, but had many chats and laughs in the halls of 125 Western, and st NHPTV. wonderful spirit, amazing woman. .