Sallie Giffen Obituary

Sallie A. Giffen, who spent her career as an executive in university administration & finance, died September 18, 2024, at her home in Falmouth, MA. She was 84 years old.
Sallie graduated from the University of Alabama with a BS in Business Administration in 1962, one of 6 women in a class of 209 graduates of the 'Bama business school that year, and received her MBA from Loyola College in Maryland. Her career in higher education administration spanned more than 3 decades, where she was often the first woman to hold the office of university Vice President – Vice Chancellor for Administrative Affairs at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), Vice President for Administration at the University of Connecticut, and Vice President for Business Affairs & Treasurer at Washington State University. In these roles, she was responsible for everything from entire university budgets and major capital construction projects to university police departments and dining halls.
Sallie retired to her summer home in Woods Hole in 1998, to begin nearly 15 years as Chair of the Falmouth Building Committee, bringing her university experience in overseeing major capital projects to the town's building projects, including the Library, Fire Station and Town Hall. She also served as President of the MBL Associates and as Treasurer of the Falmouth Artists Guild.
Sallie was predeceased by her twin sister, Sue A. Giffen, in 2022. Sue, who graduated from Cortland State Teachers College in NY and earned a master's degree and PhD ABD from Ohio State University, spent most of her life as an antiques dealer and expert. Sue lived in Falmouth for more than 25 years and was a well-known auctioneer at Sandwich Auction. Sallie was also predeceased by her partner of many years, Martin Schwartz of Baltimore, MD and Woods Hole, in 1985; and her brother-in-law, Richard Ernst of Woods Hole in 1991.
Sallie is survived by her sister, Judy Giffen Ernst of Falmouth; her nephew Rick Ernst of Falmouth; her stepdaughter Emily Schwartz Clark (Dan Clark) of Grand Isle, VT and Woods Hole; and her step-granddaughter Hadley Clark of La Jolla, CA.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Family Support Center of Cape Cod.