Stacia Danford

Stacia Ann-Ranee Danford (Vaughn) was born November 8, 1984 at 5:36 pm, in Torrance Ca, at Little Company of Mary. She was one minute older than her twin brother Steven Andrew Vaughn II, (a fact that she always reminded her brother).

Stacia spent her first four years of life living in Belmont Heights- Long Beach Ca. In January of 1989 her family moved to Menifee, Ca. She started kindergarten that following September (1989). She was in the first class to go from kindergarten to 5th grade at the newly opened Chester Morrison Elementary. She was an outstanding student and made many lifetime friends there. She played AYSO Soccer, Bobby Sox Softball, karate, took piano lessons, and was a Daisy in Girl Scouts. Stacia loved riding her horse Tammy up in the hills surrounding Menifee and competing in local horse shows. She was a student at Menifee Valley Middle school and then onto Paloma Valley High School where she joined the Colorguard and in her senior year was selected Co-captain of the team. She choreographed the routine that won the team a National Winterguard Championship in 2002.

After graduating in 2002 she attended University of California Irvine. There she made the Dean’s List numerous times. While living on campus she made many new friends. Stacia graduated from UCI in 2007 with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. She moved back to Menifee and worked as a Physical therapy assistant and then in administration at Pechanga Gaming Commission.

In 2009 she reconnected with an old high school classmate, James Danford and in 2010 they began dating. She had met her soulmate. James and Stacia were married May 26, 2012 at Montelone Meadows in Murrietta, Ca. The young couple loved going to Disneyland and were avid pin traders. Stacia was so proud of her Disney room and pin collection.

In September 2013 she was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. After surgery and treatment, in 2014 she went into remission for almost 2 years. Then it came back with vengeance, this time it was stage 4. After almost 5 years of battles, 2 more surgeries, and over 100 chemo treatments she was starting to get ahead of the disease. But in January 2021 her blood test results started to decline; she was diagnosed with Leukemia and was admitted to City of Hope in Duarte, Ca. For four weeks she endured so many grueling treatments, but by the second week of February 2021 she was told she had beat Leukemia! Unfortunately the long battle with cancer and the chemotherapy had a devasting effect on her immune system which left her susceptible to a rare fungal infection in the lungs that ultimately took her life.

Stacia refused to be defined by cancer, she had the strongest will to live and go on with life the best she could. She taught us all how to love and care for others with courage and dignity even in the face of all her health challenges. A testament to strength and grace Stacia fought through it all and showed us all how to be a beautiful person.

Stacia loved animals of all types; she had such a kind pure heart and was able to instantly form a bond with them. Her dogs Peebles and Coco and her cat Pumpkin were so precious to her. She also loved crafting, making and giving people gifts which gave her so much joy. Stacia was a proud member of the Papparazzi Jewelry family and had so much fun doing on-line shows.

Though she leaves behind friends and family, her fighting spirit, countless memories, and untold moments of selflessness will continue to echo for all time. She was the perfect example of a good friend, niece, granddaughter, daughter, and wife. There is not a second we will not miss her or a time where we will not forget her. She is our forever and always sunshine.

She is survived by her husband James Danford, parents Steven and Stephanie Vaughn, twin brother Steven Vaughn II and wife Kristina, Grandfather Henry Gill, Nana Carla Vaughn, Uncle Steven Gill, Aunt Stacey and Uncle Daryl Williams, Aunt Starla and Uncle Josh Smith, mother-in-law Elaine Danford, 2 brothers-in-law (Steven and Robert Danford), 2 sisters-in-law (Sandra and Tryphena Danford), 2 nephews (Jacob and Sean Danford), and 3 nieces (Catherine, Olivia, and Carrie Danford).

She leaves behind her beloved dogs Coco and Pebbles, precious cat Pumpkin, as well as countless friends near and far, who loved her like family.

Interment will be in Menifee Valley Cemetery, Menifee, CA.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.miller-jones.com