Joan Pipitone Vaughn

Joan Pipitone Vaughn, 95, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at her home in Athens, Georgia on June 22, 2016. Her parents were Salvatore and Catherine Pipitone. Salvatore was prominent sportswear designer in New York, and most noted for designing the original costumes for the Broadway play, South Pacific.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York. She graduated from Maryland School for Girls. She married her boss and the love of her life, Hal Vaughn and moved to Athens in 1947. Because the house was not finished, she started her Southern life on Raiswood Plantation near Greensboro.

She was an avid golfer, and former president of the Athens Country Club Ladies Golf Association. She was a proud member of the Fiasco Group and played golf up to the last years of her life. She also volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital, and was active in various civic organizations. She was an enthusiastic supporter of Georgia Museum, and Athens Symphony Orchestra.

She is survived by her brother, Dick Pipitone; son-in-law, Gerry Whitworth; daughter, Catherine Vaughn Whitworth; her sons, Hal Vaughn and Rick Vaughn and his wife, Georgia Vaughn; four grandchildren, Caroline and Molly Vaughn and Jason and Grant Whitworth. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, William and Lily from Jason and Laura Whitworth, and Charlie and Whitley from Grant and Holly Whitworth. She is also survived by Hal’s son, Roger Vaughn, and his children, Gabrielle and Roger Jr.

The family gratefully thanks her companion, Paula Cain and Pearlie Mae Jones.

The family will receive friends Sunday, June 26 from 5-7 p.m. at Bernstein Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held Monday, June 27 at 11 a.m. at the Catholic Student Center, 1344 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens.

In lieu of flowers, friends can send donations to St. Joseph’s Church Building Fund at http://10773.sites.ecatholic.com/donate-online or St. Mary's Hospital at http://www.stmarysathens.org/about-us/foundation/donate.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.