Mary J Vaughn

Mary J. Vaughn was born to her biological parents David Daniel Whitson and Eva Virginia Lee on May 29 1923. Mary was adopted by James Eugene and Charlotte Mabel (nee Matthews) Keriack at 13 days of age. Mary passed peacefully in home surrounded by her family in Tucson, AZ on August 16, 2015. She is survived by her husband Ronald L. Vaughn, and children Ronald L. Vaughn JR, John C. Vaughn, Casey P. Vaughn, and Joanie Vaughn, thirteen grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren, three great, great grandchildren and many relatives and friends. She was predeceased by James Gerard Vaughn, Vicki Marie Dalton, Tanya Vaughn Boyd, Michael Paul Vaughn and Liam Joseph Brillo.

Mary spent her first few years in Norfolk, VA which she remembers as the happiest time of her youth. Mary spent most every day on the beach. She could swim before she could walk. She always spoke of Saturday nights when the fishennen would stick their torches in the sand and sing in cadence as they pulled in the nets. Mary and her friend, Fannie Mae, would stand by with wicker baskets to pick up the fish that fell from the nets. That would be their Sunday breakfast.

Mary's father died when she was eleven years old and she and her mother "Lottie" moved to Brooklyn, NY. They shared a large three story house with Lottie's parents and her sister's family. Mary enjoyed hearing stories told by her grandfather and those that were told about him. He was twice the welter weight champion of the world. Mary and her mother spent their summers in Virginia and Mary would be back on her beloved beach.

They moved back to Norfolk and Mary attended Holy Trinity High School and continued her dancing lessons that lasted for teen years. She took lessons in ballet, tap, and acrobatic dancing. Mary joined the Troopers Club during World War II and entertained for all services. She danced on many make shift stages such as: ship deck. Sea Bee base theater, a boxing ring. and in the hold of a hospital ship. She was voted the pinup girl for the U.S.S. Relief.

Mary's neighbor introduced her to Ron and they married fourteen months later. Their first child was still born. Ron's two older children, Ronnie and Vicki, came to live with them and Mary raised them as her own. Mary was a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan. The Dodgers had never won a World Series. Mary said, "If the Dodgers ever win a Series I will have a baby that lives". The Dodgers won The World Series October 4, 1955 and 30 minutes after the game was over John Charles Vaughn came into the world. Johnny Padres was the winning pitcher for the Dodgers and of course we had to name the baby John. The following October another boy arrived. The Yankees bad just won the Series with Casey Stengel as their manager. Of course we named the little guy Casey. A few years later Joan came along just to prove she could still do it. She finally had a little girl.

Mary has chosen to be cremated but she says we should wait until she passes. She wrote this little poem:

O'cast my ashes upon the sea

A repast for the sea gulls and the

sandpipers I will be.

Don't hoard my body, please let it be free.

My soul with Christ Lord and

my flesh with the sea.

Oh, sweet Jesus what peace and serenity.

Visitation will be held Thursday August 20, 2015 from 5:00 – 9:00pm at 9760E Vista Montanas Tucson, AZ 85749 (Catalina Highway/Harrison). Funeral mass Friday August 21, 2015 at 11:30am at Our Mother of Sorrow church 1800 S Kolb Rd.