Marilyn Sallie Cowan Zaugg

Marilyn Sallie Cowan Zaugg lost her battle to recurring cancer and passed away one day after her 75th birthday on March 26, 2023. She chose to spend her last days at home with the support of Hospice Maui and the loving care of her family and friends.

Sallie (as she was known throughout her life) was born to Ana and Marion “Pete” Cowan on March 25, 1948 in the Canal, Zone, Panama where her father was a civilian employee of the U.S. government. Her father died when Sallie was 8 and the family moved to Southern California. Sallie spent many wonderful summers in Laguna Beach and graduated from El Monte High School in 1966. She attended Whittier College and later earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Hawaii, Maui Campus.

Sallie’s family had roots in Hawaii as her father went to elementary school and her Aunt Eva was a principal on Oahu. Her Uncle Bing was the plantation supervisor on Molokai, served in the Navy in Hawaii during WWII and later worked for Libby, McNeill & Libby in Honolulu. She followed her heart and moved to Maui in 1974.

Sallie became an icon of the fun-loving restaurant scene in Lahaina working at the Rusty Harpoon, Le Tournedos, Spats, Pineapple Hill, and the Kapalua Bay Club. She met the love of her life, Jeff “Hulk” Zaugg, who worked at the Lahaina Chart House at the time and they were married in 1979 on the Hanalei Pier on Kauai. They made their homes in Napili, Kula and finally Kihei. Sallie and Jeff transitioned their careers into real estate and mortgage loans with Sallie working for Island Sotheby’s Wailea.

Sallie is survived by her only son, Zachery Zaugg (graduate of King Kekaulike High School class of 2004), sister Nancy Cross (Bill), nieces Candace Cross Lanier (Chris) and Kendall Cross Grant (Tim) and grand nieces Scarlett Lanier and Lucy Lanier.

Her Celebration of Life is scheduled for Sunday April 16 from 3:30pm – 6pm at Airport Beach in Kaanapali. Friends and family will always remember Sallie’s feisty spirit, sense of humor, loyalty to friends and as a loving mother.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Hospice Maui as the loving care, patient support, and respect they provided to Sallie and her family were immeasurable and greatly appreciated.