Breaking: Nick Saban Confirms Major Heartbreaking Lost
Alabama is entering a new chapter in college football this weekend with their new head coach, Kalen DeBoer. However, the man who revitalized the program nearly 20 years ago, Nick Saban, recently lost a significant figure in his life who played a crucial role in shaping him as a person, husband, father, and coach.
Alabama’s Nick Saban’s Mother Sadly Passes Away At 92
A report late Thursday night revealed the passing of Nick Saban’s mother, Ruth Mary Saban Pasko, at the age of 92.
According to Mike Rodak of 247sports.com, The Tuscaloosa News published Pasko’s obituary, highlighting her remarkable life. Ruth Mary Saban Pasko was born on July 29, 1932, in Michigan but spent most of her life in the small town of Farmington, West Virginia. She was the daughter of Jane and Harry Conaway. During high school, Mary was both a cheerleader and a majorette at Farmington High School, where she met and married Nick Saban, a baseball standout who later co-founded Pop Warner football in the area with Willie Criado.
Nick and Mary ran Saban Gulf Service Station, along with a restaurant and Dairy King, serving the communities of Carolina, Monongah, Farmington, and Fairmont. Mary was a devoted supporter of the Pop Warner Black Diamond Football team, helping with concessions and decorating the bus that Nick Sr. drove to pick up the boys from the small, remote areas in the hills of West Virginia. Both of their children were involved—Dene as a cheerleader and Nick Jr., nicknamed “Brother,” as the quarterback.
Mary, along with Nick Sr.’s mother, Anna, and her three sisters—Aunt Mary, Aunt Katie, and Aunt Joanne—rarely missed a game, from the Pop Warner days through high school and college. She was especially close to her sister, Fran Popovich, and her husband Sid, who were also longtime supporters, including of Alabama Football.
In addition to being a dedicated sports fan, Mary was a talented seamstress, creating many of her grandchildren’s clothes and even her own wedding gown. She worked for CB&T Bank in Fairmont for many years, and after becoming widowed, she spent over 20 years working for the West Virginia Secretary of State Department. Later in life, she married Bobby Pasko after rekindling a friendship at a high school reunion. Together, they enjoyed golf, dancing, and following football. After Bobby’s passing, Mary moved to Danberry Retirement Community in Birmingham.
She is survived by her children, Dene (Leroy) Thompson and Nick (Terry) Saban; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Fran (Sid) Popovich and Ginger Hill. She was preceded in death by her sister Bobby Jane Parrish, her husband Nick Saban, her husband Bobby Pasko, and her parents Jane and Harry Conaway.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Nick’s Kids Foundation at nickskidsfoundation.org or by mail at 1130 University Blvd. Ste. B9-201, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401.
Arrangements are being handled by Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory.
Nick Saban’s mother had many memorable moments, including one shared by Brett McMurphy of the Action Network. He recounted that during practice, Mary once called Nick to tell him she had made a hole-in-one at the golf course, proudly teasing him because he had never achieved one.
Nick Saban’s 92-year-old mother Mary passed away. Last year, Saban shared w/me this hysterical story when she called, demanding to talk to him – during a Bama practice pic.twitter.com/hmVeQNGqKv
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) August 30, 2024
“She says, ‘Brother’ — everyone from West Virginia calls each other ‘brother’ — ‘Brother, I just wanted to let you know I just made a hole-in-one and you’ve never made one,’” Saban recalled. “Yes, she really called me during practice to tell me she made a hole-in-one.”
Thoughts and prayers are with Coach Saban and his entire family during this difficult time.