Joanne Nickel

Joanne (Farrell) Nickel, 89, of Mount Savage, passed away Monday, November 29, 2021 at UPMC Western Maryland.

Born October 19, 1932, in Mount Savage, to Joseph Gerald and Lillian Pearl Farrell (Stewart). She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, John “Jack” F. Nickel and daughter Deborah Joanne Nickel. She is the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Joanne was a member of St. Patrick’s Church, Mount Savage and the core of Solidarity. She loved St. Patrick’s church and the town of Mount Savage. Joanne graduated from Girls Central in Cumberland and Frostburg State Teachers College with additional post graduate work at Frostburg State University and West Virginia University. Joanne taught 15 years at Flintstone High School where she was instrumental in the development of girls’ sports in our area. She taught and coached at Mount Savage for 28 years, winning her first state title in basketball in 1977. She managed to coach her team to 11 state volleyball tournaments and 4 volleyball state titles championships in 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1997.  She had 20 undefeated regular volleyball seasons and a 5 year streak of regular seasonal wins compiling a 100 wins and no loses from 1992 to 1997.  Her regular season coaching record was 299 wins and 11 losses at Mount Savage. She was known as a “tough coach” who never demanded more from her players than she was willing to give of herself. She was an outstanding motivator who made kids believe that they could achieve anything with the desire to do so. She loved teaching and coaching and her player’s knew that she cared. She will be greatly missed by many.

Surviving is her best friend who was more like a daughter, Martha Mauzy and some very special cousins. She is also survived by a special lunch bunch group, Gladys Faherty, Toby Feddis, Ruth Beal, and the late Elaine Miller and Carol Barry.