Memories

Tomorrow we start a road trip to my hometown of Petoskey, Michigan. This time, the trip will be to memorialize my mom, Elena Vaughan, born October 9, 1920, died July 7, 2015 and one of the kindest, most thoughtful people to grace this earth.

As we wrapped up our nightly phone call the evening of July 7th, she said the sun was shining so I sang out a toodleoo to her as was our tradition (if it were dark out, I'd sing "good evening" ...whichever, it usually made her laugh which was my goal). After our toodles, she told me that when she finished a phone call with my younger son Paul, they would wish each other a smile - and she passed a smile on to me and I to her. Smile, mom. You brought so much joy...

One of the finest mother hens of all-time has taken flight heavenward. Elena Lenore Vaughan, born on October 9, 1920 to Howard and Jennie Nichols in Deckerville, Michigan, died July 7, 2015 at her residence in Petoskey, Michigan.

While growing up, Elena was big sister to Kent, Don and Leon, honing her mother hen and management skills at an early age. She went on to graduate from Royal Oak Senior High School, was certified at Detroit College of Business, and attended Wayne State University in Detroit. From there she excelled as a Legal Aid and Executive Office Manager at the J.L. Hudson Company in Detroit, which provided her with a lifetime of stories to share.

In 1947, Elena caught the eye of the dashing Paul George Vaughan. A whirlwind courtship led to their Valentine’s Day wedding in 1948 and a love-filled marriage. That marriage also brought two children into the world, David Lee and Paula Jean who both now live in Boulder, Colorado. The family tree further branched out with Paula’s marriage to Kendall Miller which, to Elena and Paul’s great and ever-lasting delight, gave them two grandsons, Devon and Paul VaughanMiller.

In 1961, Paul and Elena decided a move from Detroit would be good for the family and thus they arrived in Petoskey, the new owners of The Basket Shop and the Northland Lodge. Elena kept her plate full, helping Paul with the shop until they retired in April, 1984, serving as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church and as president of the Women’s Association.

Elena is survived by her son, David, daughter, Paula, son-in-law, Kendall Miller, her grandsons Devon and Paul, her brother Kent Nichols and his family, the children of her brother Don Nichols, as well as beloved nieces and nephews from her husband Paul’s side of the family.

Elena overflowed with compassion for anyone in need, deeply cared for those close to her, and truly glowed when surrounded by a happy gathering of family and friends. A celebration of this lovely woman’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey, 501 E. Mitchell Street, on July 29 at 2 p.m.. A reception of beverages and cookies (in honor of Elena’s exalted position as Cookie Baking Queen) will follow the service.