Marian R. Nicely

Marian R. Nicely, 87 of Ligonier, PA, died October 19, 2020 in Pittsburgh. She was born August 6, 1933 in Ligonier Twp., a daughter of Garnet John Nicely and Margaret Louise Ralston Nicely.  She is survived by four nieces and two nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Madeline Nicely, and Helen Margaret Nicely Clark, a brother, Louis Bailey Nicely, her former husband, Joseph D. Fernandes and her fiancé, Robert C. Jackson. A 1950 graduate of Ligonier High School, she entered the Women's Army Corps in 1953 and served until 1959. Her service and writings became the basis of her book, "The Ladies First Army", which recounted the history of the Corps as well as her personal experience. Following a career as a civil service employee of the Department of Army, she turned to free-lance writing where she contributed to  the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, The Pennsylvania Magazine, The Army, Navy and Air Force Times, and she received a Women in Communications Matirix award for her work on the Army Magazine. As a member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, in Ligonier, she served on council, as a delegate to the SWPA Synod Assembly, PA Lutheran Advocacy Board, and the first ELCA National Assembly. She was awarded the Angelos Award for her work on the Lutheran Magazine. She was a member, officer, post commander and chaplain of the Byers-Tosh Post 267, American Legion.
Graveside services will be conducted Monday October 26,2020 at noon in the Ligonier Valley Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to www.womens memorial,org or St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, 300 W. Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658.
McCabe Funeral Home, 144 East Main Street, Ligonier is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be made to www.mccabefuneralhomespa.com.