Nick Saban and Mary Saban (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Social media is praying for Nick Saban and his family following some devastating news.
Saban’s mother, Mary Saban Pasko, has passed away at the age of 92, according to an obituary published in the Tuscaloosa News on Thursday night.
Mary, born in Michigan, spent most of her life in West Virginia, where she raised her children with her husband, Nick Saban Sr.
Nick Saban Jr. would go on to become the greatest coach in college football history, winning seven national championships before retiring after the 2023 NCAA season.
“Mary, along with Nick, Sr.’s mother, Anna and her three daughters, Aunt Mary, Aunt Katie and Aunt Joanne, rarely missed a game from the Pop Warner days through high school and college,” the obituary reads. “Mary was very close to her sister, Fran Popovich and husband Sid, who were also loyal supporters over the years, including Alabama Football.”
Very sad news: Legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban’s mother, Mary Pasko, has passed away at the age of 92.
🕊️🕊️
“My mother was the one who probably had more influence on me than anybody. She was always on me to do things the right way,” coach Saban has said about his mother. pic.twitter.com/j23okAIMIZ
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 30, 2024
Social media was flooded with thoughtful comments after news of Mary’s passing spread.
“Prayers up to Coach Saban and his family 🙏🏽,” one fan wrote.
“Prayers up to the Saban family, she raised a great one,” another added.
“oh man. rest in peace 🕊️❤️,” someone said.
“Rip 🙏 That story about the hole in one was legendary,” someone else recalled.
“Condolences to Coach Saban, Miss Terry, and the rest of the Saban family ❤️🙏🏻,” a comment read.
Nick Saban’s Mother Lived A Long & Wonderful Life
Saban’s father, Nick Sr., passed away from a heart attack in 1973. Mary remarried Bobby Pasko following his death.
Her two children, Nick Jr. and Dene Thomas, gave her six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She lived a long and wonderful life.
Mary Saban-Pasco, the 92-year-old mother of Coach Nick Saban, has passed away.RIP to a woman of loyalty and faith, pictured here with her great-grandson James.*Picture ctsy Kristen Saban@AlabamaFTBL @UofAlabama #RollTide pic.twitter.com/Eck18pNVHh
— Rick Karle (@RickKarle) August 30, 2024
Mary is said to have loved football as much as her son as she rarely missed a Pop Warner game in high school and college. Saban once referred to his mother as the person who influenced him the most in his life.
TPS extends condolences to the Saban family during this difficult time.
R.I.P., Mary Saban – 1932-2024.
