Leslie was a kind and joyful person.  I have so many fun memories of her over the years.  I know how very happy she was with her life in Norfolk.  

My condolences to her family and friends.  She will be missed.

Dear Gordy,
We were so saddened to learn of the death of your beloved Leslie in such a tragic way. Your love letter to her listing all her many fine qualities and talents makes us wish we could have met her .

Our hearts are with you and we pray for you daily.  God IS with you and WILL comfort you.  

With much love,
Ann-Mary and Richard


Dear Gordy,

We are so sorry to hear of the death of Leslie, in such a tragic way.

May the love you shared with her over many years, which endures even now, and which is very evident in your 'love letter' to her on this site, continue to be a support for you.  

May this love and the joy of your happiness together be alive for you going forward.




Dear Uncle Gordy, Brian & Megan, Kristin and the Vaughn family,
We are saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Leslie. Please accept our Deepest sympathies and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

With sympathy,
Jay and Jennifer (Puskarz) Turner
Brianna and Toren Kieon

A Tribute to my Love, Leslie Vaughn
These are a few thoughts I would like to say to Leslie.

A lot of people have different gifts and talents.  Some are very smart, some are beautiful, some are athletic all-stars. But, as I have told you many times over these past 20 years, you were the Total Package. -- Smart, attractive, athletic, sexy,  an artist,(As your many intricate quilts show), a musician, (you had a beautiful singing and harmonizing voice, and you were on your keyboard almost every day, fine tuning your craft, not for a performance or event, but because you enjoyed it and wanted to do a good job), you were a great dance partner with a spot-on sense of rhythm.  You had a quick sense of humor, and loved to laugh at yourself. Family would do all kinds of things to make “Nana” laugh. 
At the same time, you were kind and patient, completely trust-worthy, with the highest level of integrity. You were hard-working and loyal, And you were independent. I like that in a partner.  You were a great partner, Partner.
Even with all those star qualities, you were still so down to earth, so low maintenance.  That was the frosting on the cake.
You were always such a pleasure to be with, and I remember realizing I had to make a “total package” list to remind myself of how lucky I was to have found you. And it seemed I was always having to add to the list. Even now, I feel bad about having left things out.
You were well-liked and respected by your professional peers. They voted you Teacher of the Year in one of your last years as a teacher. They appreciated you, and you were honored by their appreciation.
But at the top of the list, and what I will always treasure most, is that you loved and cared about me.  It was really special to feel so special to you.  You were my gift.  You were my Total Package
And now I will have to let you go.  Les, I love you, and now I have to let you go.  I love you and miss you forever.

Leslie was a recent, but became a dear friend.  She was a fierce competitor in our twice weekly Pickleball games.  As a retired teacher myself, we connected on many levels.  She shared her love of reading about various authors, and I am currently reading a book she loaned me. I will miss her warm smile and infectious laughter, as well as her gentle spirit.  I am fortunate to have known her these last few months.  My heart goes out to Gordy, her children and grandchildren;  she talked about all of you often.  My prayers are with you all. 
Donna Dillon Stockburger

Leslie Vaughn was one of the most kind, most beautiful and most loving person I have ever known. Her sincerity, love and care radiated through her precious smile and the sound of her voice. I met Leslie at Ingleside Elementary School and it was special. We loved talking about our grandchildren and sharing pictures. I laugh when I think about how much one of her granddaughters looked so much like my granddaughter--even though my granddaughter is African-American.  Leslie went all beyond race and culture.  She was an amazing person!!!!! She called me a few months ago and told me how she thought about me all the time.  That was just so special to me!!!!! We had such a wonderful, wonderful conversation. I will always treasure the words she spoke to me---it is so wonderful to be thought of and especially so when you have no idea that you are being thought of so kindly and then it is made known to you!!!!! I'm thankful to GOD for that conversation and every show of kindness and love shown to me and so many others.  I have my personal handmade cup mat and other things she has given to me. I will always treasure them!!!!! May GOD strengthen each of you and be a comfort to you each individually and all together as you share your memories!!!!! May HIS loving arms embrace each of you and give to each of you the strength you need at this time. I know that Leslie truly cared about me and soooooooo many others!!!!! GOD. BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE🌻!!!!!

Mrs Weaver, as I knew her, was our Phoebus neighbor, and my mother's dear friend.   Her children  Cindy and Alex, were my brother's and my good friends....  We are so sorry for your loss, and send our love and prayers.   Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord.  Let perpetual light shine upon her.   May her soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in Peace.  Amen.

Cynthia and Alex, as neighbors, your mom and I used to get up early to jog together.   And I thank God for the blessing of her friendship and prayers.  On the night before I was to be admitted to the hospital to have surgery on my kidney, she came and prayed for me.  The next day the doctor pulled me out of the check in line and told me he couldn’t see the blockage in my kidney.  No surgery!   Her friendship, her smile, and her sense of humor are etched in my heart.  

Leslie was a beautiful person and awesome colleague. I will miss our summer get together at Bangkok Garden. My friend your smile and love for your children and  grandchildren  will always be remembered. Rest in peace.

I had the privilege of sharing music with Leslie way back when Cynthia and Alex were very young.  I sang while she played the piano for me at church.  I was "feeling" down one day and Leslie wrote this song for me:  "Don't be ruled by your feelings, set your mind on things above, if you're overwhelmed by the world, just hear the still small voice of love, the still small voice of G-d."  Leslie, thank you for your life that touched mine.  ~Ruth Bodner

"Ms. Carolyn" was my piano instructor for many years. She was a truly talented teacher; accomplished as a musician, effective in challenging me to improve and always showed kindness and generosity with every interaction I had with her. 

So much of my love for music is completely owed to her influence in my life. 

I was also fortunate to be a family friend and was welcomed into her home on many occasions. I am deeply saddened by the loss and send prayers and blessings to the family she leaves behind.

Our family is so sorry for your loss.  Carolyn, as we knew her, was such a gifted pianist, teacher and a thoughtful person. 
She taught both of my kids piano and she had such patience. She reached them and made an impact on them musically. 
I remember her as one who put her all into everything she did.  Hugs from all of my family. 
Mark and Val Berry, Michelle and David. 

I met Carolyn in the early 80s after coming to know Christ -  she was a gifted pianist at Phoebus Baptist church. We would do morning walks together and she tutored my daughter in reading. We did car pool with our kids and had many laughs and many fond memories! Carolyn was always kind and always giving. She was such a blessing to me and my family… Love and hugs to her family from ours! Kathy…

I first knew Leslie as Carolyn Weaver. We were first year teachers in Hampton in 1974.  We helped each other get through that first year.  She was a wonderful friend and we had many good times.  Leslie loved her children, grandchildren, and the students she taught.  I enjoyed hearing about their successes.  She always had a kind word for everyone. When Leslie laughed you couldn’t help but laugh with her. 

Leslie (who I originally knew as Martha Carolyn Vaughn) was a friend for 50 years going back to my days in Charlottesville at UVA. She dated and was later married to a good friend and classmate of mine. We've been in touch in recent years through Facebook and also by occassional phone calls. Back in the early eighties, when my life was a bit topsy turvy, she couldn't have been a more wonderful and helpful friend. Always kind, gentle and caring, her smile was always contagious and it was great to be in touch again after many years. She was so proud of her daughter, Cynthia, and her son Alex and so thrilled to be a grandparent. In addition to being a devoted mother she was also a devoted school teacher. I take heart that I was blessed by knowing her and counting her as my friend.  My heart goes out to all of the family.

OBITUARY

Leslie Lynn Vaughn

3 February, 1952 – 12 August, 2021

Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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