As September comes to a close and we mark the end of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, we pause to remember Allyson Maffett M ’91 — a devoted teacher, proud Tiger fan and a woman whose life continues to inspire others.
At just 50 years young, ovarian cancer curtailed Allyson’s hopes and dreams. However, during her time here on Earth, she lived with passion, purpose, and the unwavering belief that every child, regardless of their circumstances, deserved the chance to learn, grow and thrive.
Allyson’s life was a shining example of what it means to be “All In” — not only on game days but every day of our lives.
Allyson earned a master’s degree in elementary education from Clemson University, where her passion as an educator took root.
There was little doubt that Allyson’s heart belonged to the classroom. For more than two decades, Allyson poured herself into her pre-K and kindergarten students, laying the earliest educational foundations with patience, joy and a deep belief in her students’ abilities. She nurtured the children in her care to help them reach their full potential so they could pursue graduation, college, careers, and lives filled with purpose, promise and passion.
To her students, Allyson was more than a teacher. She was their champion.
Despite her cancer diagnosis, Allyson’s positive “All In” spirit kept her going for her students. In fact, she was honored with the Red Cross “Hometown Hero” award in 2018 because nothing could keep her away from fulfilling her role as a teacher — not even cancer.
Although she never had children, Allyson felt as if the children in her classroom were her own. In an interview with Channel 13 WMAZ, Allyson smiled and said, “I just love to come to school and do my job; it’s hard for me to think of myself as a hero.” In the months leading up to the recognition, her energy was put to the test as she underwent cancer treatments. A co-worker remembered that “while battling cancer, she was present and still there for her students.”
“What’s important to me is seeing my students happy and thriving,” Allyson said in the Channel 13 interview. “It’s the hand of God and my students’ smiles that are my lifelines.”
In a final act of love and purpose, Allyson left a generous portion of her estate to create the C.W. “Jack” Maffett, Jr., Class of 1950 Scholarship Endowment, a needs-based scholarship fund, in honor of her late father, a humble and hardworking man who grew up in a small rural town in Edgefield County, South Carolina. After being stationed in Japan during the Korean War, he worked for the Georgia Department of Transportation until he retired.
Jack was a loyal Tiger and shared his love for Clemson University and the Tigers with Allyson and her sister, Stephanie Maffett Salzinger of Atlanta, Georgia. It became a family tradition to drive his girls across state lines to attend Clemson Football games and other alumni activities. “We attended Homecoming each year to see the floats and displays on Bowman Field. Our dad had season tickets for many years, and he loved coming back with us year after year to see old and new friends who sat near us in the stadium,” Stephanie said.
Even when she became an adult, Allyson and her father continued to enjoy going to Clemson Football games across the country, proudly wearing orange, cheering on their team, and building lifelong friendships with alumni and friends of the University. They loved going to Prowl and Growl events each spring and getting the chance to see their favorite coaches, including Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney. Their admiration for Coach Swinney was well-known among their friends and family. “The Maffetts were salt of the earth, genuinely good people who were true and loyal members of the Clemson Family,” Coach Swinney said. Coach Swinney sent this video, which was played at Allyson’s celebration of life service.
Jack always believed in the power of education and taught his daughters to do the same. “He nurtured his roots and maintained close ties to friends and family in Edgefield County,” Stephanie recalled.
The scholarship Allyson established in her father’s name now helps first-generation college students from small communities pursue their dreams, just as her father once dreamed, and just as Allyson made possible through her life of service.
Every fall, as leaves turn many shades of red, yellow and orange and students gather in classrooms, Allyson’s spirit lives on through every scholarship recipient, every classroom memory and every act of quiet generosity. She lived with joy, gave with purpose and planned with vision. She embraced the moment — and invested in the future.
This September, we remember Allyson. We honor her strength, and we carry her legacy forward. In Allyson’s memory, we encourage you to learn the signs of ovarian cancer, share awareness and support research that could save lives. Visit the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition’s website for more information.
