Sal Fabens, director of public relations for United Way Worldwide (UWW), died Dec. 21, 2011, after suffering a heart attack in her Alexandria, Va., home. She was 47. UWW made the announcement today.
“Sal was deeply invested in the United Way movement and helped champion our move to community impact,” said Del Galloway, vice president, communications. “She was recognized for her strong brand stewardship, her invaluable counsel to local United Ways and her unflappable demeanor, particularly in a crisis. The United Way family is very saddened at her passing, and she is dearly missed.”
Fabens began her United Way career in Schenectady N.Y., as director of communications, moving to United Way Worldwide in 2006 as director of crisis communication before becoming director of public relations.
UWW headquarters in Alexandria, Va., held a memorial service for Fabens on Jan. 5. More than 150 friends and colleagues attended. According to the Galloway, the delay in sending word to the media was due to the “combination of the holidays, a focus on her memorial service and limited resources.”
On Jan. 5, 2012, the official Twitter account for United Way Worldwide (@live_united) recognized Fabens by displaying, “#UnitedWay is proud to celebrate the life & service of Sal Fabens tonight, a true champion of our movement and friend.” Attached was a photograph of Fabens at her desk.
As a personal friend of Fabens’, Galloway said she would be remembered for her strong principles, ethics and desire to improve conditions for all. “She was the first to say, ‘If we’re not having fun doing what we do, then why bother?’ She was a genuinely kind person, who helps all of us remember the stuff that matters: friends, family, laughter.”
A native of Marlborough, Mass., Fabens graduated from Wells College in Aurora, N.Y., in 1986, studying philosophy and theater arts. After receiving her master’s degree in 1989 from Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. in theater Arts and women’s studies, Fabens worked in the arts and closely with the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.
Fabens is predeceased by her brother Andy and mother Barbara. A memorial service will be held on Saturday Jan. 14th at 2 p.m. at the Tighe-Hamilton Funeral Home, 50 Central St., Hudson Mass., 01749. Fabens will then be laid to rest at a later date in Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem, Mass.
In lieu of flowers, mourners have been asked to make a gift to United Way Worldwide (www.liveunited.org) or AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts (www.aac.org).
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