Obituary of JoAnn Nichols

JoAnn (Prendergast) Nichols, age 80, passed away on August 22, 2021 at Ryan’s House Hospice after a fight with cancer. She was born on 7/3/1941 in Martins Ferry, OH to William and Elda Prendergast and in many ways enjoyed being a firecracker. She met the love of her life, Ron, as a sophomore at Martins Ferry High School. They married after she graduated and moved to Phoenix; he had moved there the prior year to establish a home for them. She was faithfully married to Ron for 60 years until his death on 6/30/20. They raised three sons which was her primary joy in life. Throughout her life she was an excellent homemaker, sales clerk at Mervyn’s and partnered with Ron at Team Sports Outfitters, a business they founded. For more than 30 years she could be found at a Little League or Babe Ruth baseball field supporting her husband and loving on hundreds of children; she enjoyed watching baseball and keeping track of teams until the end of her life. She enjoyed singing with the St. Helen’s Choir for many years and had the honor to sing for the Papal visit in 1987. JoAnn is survived by sons Mark (Nelda), Michael (Paul), and Patrick, two grandchildren, Brittany (Austin Lewis), Ethan and great grandson, James JoAnn and Ron’s remains will be interred in a Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Ryan House/Hospice of the Valley.