Mary Ellen Vaughan

MARY ELLEN VAUGHAN Mary Ellen, was born in 1923, in Carrington, ND, the only child of Dallas and Vera Barber, and died peacefully at home surrounded by her family. She was raised in Cando, ND where she met her future husband, John Vaughan. Early on Mary Ellen showed a love for both music and theater. She attended college at The University of North Dakota where she was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She majored in English and Music Education, which led to her first job with the Music Educators Association in Chicago. Mary Ellen married her husband John in 1945 and they celebrated 59 years of marriage before his death in 2004. They became Northwesterners when they moved to Seattle, and then Vancouver where John started his medical practice and Mary Ellen dedicated herself to the raising of their four children. She began her active volunteering career with PTA, Scouting, and Little League. Her civic involvement included such things as Childrens Home Society, Medical Auxiliary, and serving on the Governors Advisory Council for Drugs and Alcohol. Mary Ellen was a proud and contributing member of First Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. Her life was deeply enriched by her forty-plus year affiliation with Chapter FC of PEO. With her husbands encouragement, Mary Ellen became involved in the local chapter of the Medical Association Auxiliary. She quickly moved up the leadership ranks in the local chapter, served as state president, and in 1980 became the AMA Auxiliary national president. Her post took her to all 50 states for speaking engagements and meetings with local chapters. Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of her years in the AMA Auxiliary was the true partnership it established between her and her husband. When she finished her national term, Mary Ellen set out to touch more lives in the Vancouver area. In the early 1980s she was instrumental in creating Friends of Hospice and served as its first president. An avid golfer (member of Royal Oaks CC 61 years), gardener, and traveler, she also enjoyed a good bridge game, making many friends in the process. She moved from Fairway Village to Touchmark 17 years ago, ending her life as an active member of the Touchmark community. Mary Ellen was preceded in death by her husband John. She is survived by her four children, Barbara Olson (Craig) Pullman, George Vaughan (Susan) Vancouver, Dr. Rick Vaughan (Jan) Ellensburg, Betsy Ellingson (Rick) Gig Harbor, numerous grand children, and great grand children. Special thanks go to the loving community of Touchmark and PeaceHealth Hospice SW. Mary Ellen was well loved by her family, friends, and colleagues. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, 4300 Main Street, Vancouver. Arrangements are by Evergreen Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Friends of Hospice Southwest Washington, PO Box 3116, Vancouver, WA 98668.

Mary Ellen Vaughan

January 11, 1923 - February 16, 2018