NIGRO, Joan Metzbower, Apr 2, 1934 Sep 23, 2012. Joan Metzbower Nigro passed away on September 23rd after battling breast cancer for more than three years. Joan was born in Baltimore, MD in 1934 and was one of ten children. Her parents, David and Alice Metzbower, and four of her siblings preceded her in death. Joan graduated from Forest Park High School and married a year later. Shortly after her marriage, she moved to Omaha where she would live for the rest of her life. Joan loved Omaha and was a vital part of the community. In the late 60s, she began volunteering for the Nebraska Division of the American Cancer Society. She started as a block chairperson, and each year she took on greater responsibilities. In 1977, she was named Volunteer of the Year for the Nebraska ACS. Joan was a strong woman who always stood up for what she believed was right. From the late 70s through the mid-80s, Joan worked for organizations such as the United Way, the Methodist Church, the Greater Omaha Association for Retarded Citizens, and various political campaigns. She possessed incredible interpersonal skills and had a strong drive for success that benefited every organization at which she worked. In 1984, Joan made the decision to become a residential realtor, a decision that changed Joans life. She excelled at her work and made many life-long friends. Joan served on the Nebraska Real Estate Commission from 1996 2002. In 2002 she was appointed to the Omaha Housing Authority where she used her expertise in real estate to benefit the less fortunate. In 2010, Joan was named Realtor of the Year. She was disappointed at not being able to accept her award in person but was happy about the reason. Joan was in Alaska at the time, and she was proud to say after that trip that she had visited all 50 states. In addition to travel, she loved baking, politics, and Nebraska football. Joan will be terribly missed by her son and daughter-in-law, Joe and Shari Nigro of Lincoln and their three children, Margaret, Betsy, and Nick; her daughter and son-in-law, Laurie and Phillip Duncan of Dallas and their two daughters, Leah and Kara; her daughter, Amy Nigro of Cincinnati and Amys daughters, Sofia and Olivia; Amys fiancé, Sharif Riggen and their son, Drake. Joan is also survived by her brothers, Dave of Hanover, PA and Michael of Bel Air, MD; sisters: Norma Browne and Nancy Johnson, both of Baltimore, and Betty Murphy of Phoenix, AZ. She leaves her three special, devoted friends Marge Tilton, Donnie Lewellin, and David Johnson as well as many other dear friends. Honorary pallbearers are Ben Nelson, Mike Fahey, Mike Boyle, Anne Boyle, Frank Brown, and Brad Ashford. There will be a family VISITATION at First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 on Thursday, October 4th from 5-7pm and a MEMORIAL SERVICE at the church on Friday, October 5th at 11am. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made in Joans name to one of the following organizations: First United Methodist Church; Serene Care Hospice, 4905 So. 107 Ave. #205, Omaha, NE 68127; the NU Foundation for breast cancer research at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, 2285 So. 67 St. #200, Omaha, NE 68106 (online at nufoundation.org/breastcancer) or the Nebraska Humane Society, 8929 Fort St., Omaha, NE 68134 (online at Nehumanesociety.org).
HEAFEY-HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900
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