Jane Bennett Vaughn-Williams was born September 17, 1934 in Minneapolis MN. She was a longtime Kansas City MO resident, 1952 graduate of Southeast High School and primarily resided in Gladstone MO. She attended Kansas State University studying psychology and later while raising her family attended Maple Woods CC to expand on her interest in art history. Jane worked as an Assistant Unit Manager, and later continued as a longtime volunteer at North Kansas City Hospital. Since childhood she has been an active member, student and contributor to the Nelson Atkins Art Museum cumulating in her long-term relationship in the Society of Fellows. She was also a long time member of Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Jane proudly campaigned for Ronald Reagan, acted as the Republican Committee Woman for Clay County and attended President Reagan’s Inauguration and Inaugural Ball.
Jane had an adventurous and curious side, leading to her well-traveled experiences including trips aboard the QE1&2, pilot training, in her 70’s she flew aboard a B17 Flying Fortress, and piloted her favorite WW2 plane being a P51 Mustang. She loved the outdoors and always looked forward to returning to her birthplace of Minnesota to enjoy her stays on the shores of Lake Superior.
Most importantly Jane was a strong woman, overcoming more than her share of life challenges and through it all she was a friend, lady, mother and wife to be proud of.
Jane was preceded in death by her birth parents Ada Liddell Heinz and A.J. Zimmerman, and her step-parents Walter W. Heinz and Barbara Zimmerman, and her two husbands Jacque Dee Vaughn and Dr. John Morton Williams.
She is survived by three children and their spouses, Debra Vaughn Mentesana(Sam), Dirk Vaughn(Crystal), and Christopher Vaughn(Tonya). Jane has five grandchildren, Anthony & Nicholas Mentesana, Bennett & Sydney Vaughn, and Jacque Vaughn. She is also survived by two sisters and their spouses, Lucinda Kemme(Jim) of Shawnee KS, and Barbara Meyer(Peter) of Bend OR.
On October 25th she was liberated from a two year battle with pain from debilitating arthritis. She received compassionate care at Linden Woods Village Care Center, whom Jane and the family much appreciated.
Jane would appreciate in lieu of flowers, that donations are made to her favorite interests: Nelson Atkins Art Museum, Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral or Crossroads Hospice.
