Mary Saban Pasko, mother of Nick Saban, dies at 92

Mary Saban Pasko, the mother of former Alabama head coach Nick Saban, has passed away at the age of 92. Pasko’s obituary was published on Thursday in the Tuscaloosa News.

“Ruth Mary Saban Pasko, 92, was born on July 29, 1932, in Michigan, but spent most of her life in the small town of Farmington, West Virginia,” the obituary said. “Mary was the daughter of Jane & Harry Conaway. She was a high school cheerleader and a majorette at Farmington High School where she met and married Nick Saban, a baseball standout who later started Pop Warner football in the area along with Willie Criado.”

The obituary states Pasko is survived by her two children, Nick Saban and Dene Thompson, the family’s six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Two sisters survive Pasko as well, Fran Popovich and Ginger Hill.

Saban was close with his mother throughout his coaching tenure, attending most Alabama games. She was not afraid to let the head coach know what kind of plays she would call had the headset been in her possession. The passion for sports definitely ran in the family although, Saban Pasko had another hobby too.

“Besides being an avid sports fan, Mary was a skilled seamstress, making many of her grandchildren’s clothes as well as her wedding gown,” the obituary said. “She was employed by CB&T Bank in Fairmont for many years and after being widowed she worked for the West Virginia Secretary of State Department for over 20 years.”

Instead of flowers, the Saban family is asking for consideration for donations to Nick’s Kids Foundation, an organization run by the now-ESPN College GameDay analyst.

“In lieu of flowers, the family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider donating to Nick’s Kids Foundation at nickskidsfoundation.org or by mail at 1130 University Blvd. Ste. B9-201, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.”