Family Honors Musician Mother without Skipping a Beat
For some people, things just come naturally, while they can be a real struggle for others. For Rose Vaughn, much about life came easily and with tremendous passion –beginning with raising a happy family. Her nine children raised 26 grandchildren, who then brought another 38 great-grandchildren to the large and loving crew. To the enjoyment of all, she taught herself to play guitar, sing, and yodel, and regularly performed for those around her. “Family meant everything to her,” noted her daughter Brenda Rissel. “She was like a magnet; drawing people together, then praying, singing, and bringing happiness to the room. Family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers, her character and her music simply united people.”
“She often took her show on the road, too, playing at church, public events, and even using music to introduce faith to prison inmates,” noted daughter, Peggy Rothwell. “She always did what she could, with talent, charisma and tenacity, to make the world a better place.”
For years, Rose made efforts to help everyone around her, until her a cancer diagnosis changed her life. Her bout with cancer proved challenging to the family, adding financial concerns to the struggles she was dealing with physically. Fortunately, the Chautauqua County Office for the Aging provided assistance to help with some of the gaps. It’s with that support, that the family sought to make an impact after their matriarch’s passing.
The family of Rose Vaughn recently established the Rose Vaughn Memorial Fund, to provide assistance to others who may struggle to pay for in-home care expenses caused by a terminal diagnosis. “Her legacy isn’t going anywhere any time soon, but with a fund like this in her name, we know other families will be taken care of when facing similarly challenging times,” added Rissel. “With all that goes into taking care of end-of-life concerns, financial troubles can be enough to make the process unbearable. We’re glad our mother’s name will be synonymous with yet another way she helped people find brighter days.”
Donations to grow the Rose Vaughn Memorial Fund can be made online at crcfonline.org/give or by mailing a check to Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, 418 Spring St., Jamestown, NY 14701.
The Chautauqua Region Community Foundation administers over 700 endowments in support of emerging community needs, charitable organizations and local students pursuing higher education. For more information visit www.crcfonline.org or contact Lisa Lynde, Donor Services Officer at 716-661-3390 or llynde@crcfonline.org
