Jill Wallick Vaughan

Jill Marie Wallick was born on February 22nd, 1961 in Fort Worth, Texas and was adopted as an infant by George and Fern Wallick. She was musical from an early age, starting piano lessons with her mother at age 4, and also taking up flute and marching in the acclaimed Duncanville High School band. Jill attended Mountainview Junior College and transferred to Miami University of Ohio where she marched, and graduated with a degree in Music Education. She taught music at Titus Elementary in Dayton, OH and then moved to Boston where she worked as a legal secretary. She met her future husband, Alan Vaughan, at Grace United Methodist in Boston in 1993, eventually moving to Houston. Jill and Alan were married at Grace church in 1997.

Teaching music to young children was a lifelong passion for Jill. In Boston and Houston she taught childrens’ choirs and piano lessons, even as she became a full-time mom with the birth of daughters Bethany and Amy. As her daughters became older, Jill opened an early childhood music studio (Musikgarten Bellaire) and taught music at The School for Little Children at Bellaire United Methodist. Jill loved to talk about her students and what excited them. She was much loved, often receiving enthusiastic embraces when recognized at the grocery store. Jill had an unmatched gift in making music fun while incorporating high standards of pedagogy, and she attained numerous certifications and contributed to curriculum at the national level. She co-founded and sang alto in the Jubilee! ensemble for more than twenty years.

A cat lover since childhood, Jill had many cats over the years, fostering kittens and finding homes for stray cats, including two “foster fails” that remain with us today. She was a loyal and caring friend to many from all aspects of her life. Her greatest passion was her family. She was a tireless, proud, and devoted mother and wife, and was deeply invested in all of her childrens’ activities as well as her broader family. She loved playing games, church socials, and being “sociable'' with folks she didn’t know - the conversation usually turning to “her girls.” People often remarked on how positive her attitude was after her cancer recurred. Jill will be deeply missed by many, but we are comforted knowing that she is at peace now in her Eternal Father’s arms.

Jill is survived by her husband Alan, daughters Amy and Bethany, sister Joy Huitt, niece Amber Huitt, and many in-laws who love her dearly.

A visitation for Jill will be held Thursday, February 10, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Earthman Bellaire Funeral Home, 4525 Bissonnet, TX 77401. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 5:00 PM Central at Bellaire United Methodist Church, 4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, Texas 77401. The service will be live-streamed here: https://bellaire.online.church

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanbellaire.com for the VAUGHAN family. The family suggests donations in memory of Jill be sent to some of her favorite charities - The Alzheimer's Association, Zoe Empowers, and the music ministries of Bellaire United Methodist Church.