Catherine Joyce Nicksick, Ph.D.

CATHERINE JOYCE NICKSICK

Catherine Joyce Nicksick, Ph.D., 76, of Burgettstown, passed away Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in UPMC Mercy, Pittsburgh.

She was born January 22, 1949, in Fort Worth, Texas, a daughter of Bogdan and Elizabeth Fliton Nicksick.

Dr. Nicksick graduated from Union High School in Burgettstown. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from West Liberty University and a Ph.D. degree from the College of Education at The Pennsylvania State University.

As a lifelong educator, Dr. Nicksick inspired generations of young students and learning professionals throughout Western Pennsylvania. In the last decade of her career, she served as Superintendent of Wilmington Area School District. Following her retirement, she was an adjunct faculty member at Westminster University and a Burgettstown Borough councilwoman. She also enjoyed devoting time to her family and treasured friends.

Dr. Nicksick was a faithful member of St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, Avella. 

She was the beloved sister of Mary Beth Robertson and husband Ronald of Burgettstown, Timothy Nicksick of Charleston, WV, and Thomas Nicksick of Nagoya, Japan; aunt of Bryan Robertson, M.D. and wife Tara, Jeanine Fahnestock and husband John, Elizabeth Parsons and husband Brad, Jean Nicksick and husband David Spurlock, and several cherished great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

To honor Dr. Nicksick’s wishes, a private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church, followed by interment at Grandview Cemetery, Burgettstown. Arrangements are under the direction of Slater Funeral & Cremation Services Inc., Burgettstown.

Those desiring to honor Dr. Nicksick’s memory are encouraged to contribute to the Greater Washington County Food Bank (909 National Pike West, Brownsville, PA 15417) or Wilmington Area Education Foundation (P.O. Box 3, New Wilmington, PA 16142).