Patricia Jean Vaughan

Mrs. Patricia Sefton Vaughan, age 94, passed away on October 10, 2024 in Deer Park, Texas. Patricia was born in Flora, Illinois, on November 25, 1929, and a month later, she and her parents, Bonnie Lester and Frances Graham Sefton, moved to Pasadena, Texas.

As an elementary student, Patricia began her first job in partnership with her brother, Leon. Leon delivered the newspapers, and Patricia collected the money. Her next working partnership was with lifelong friend, Doris Schaper. They worked as Junior Counselors at nearby Tejas Girl Scout Camp on Clear Lake. Later, Patricia and Doris would take a five day bus ride to work as Counselors at the Girl Scout Camp in Portland, Maine. After graduating from Pasadena High School and The University of Texas at Austin, Patricia worked as Field and Camp Director for the Portland Girl Scout Council in Maine. Upon her return to Texas, Patricia lived in Spring Branch while teaching English at Alvin High School. After receiving her Master's Degree from the University of Houston, she served as a counselor at Deer Park High School for 30 years.

Patricia’s most significant partnership began when she married Gwynne Vaughan in 1976. For the next 48 years, their life was filled with good friends, sailing, traveling, and dancing. After retiring, the couple asked their friend, John Van Ness, to design a house for their lot on Canyon Lake. For 22 years at this home on Colleen Drive, the duo hosted guests, enjoyed boating, coordinated dance activities, and planned trips to American, Polynesian and European destinations. The pair then moved to New Braunfels where Patricia found more time to paint and do volunteer work for Vacation Bible School, Wurstfest, and The Heritage Society. With help from her college roommate, Bonnie Naigai, and accompanied by Canyon Lake friends, Patricia celebrated her 90th birthday with a trip to Ireland.

Preceding Patricia in death were her husband, parents, brother, and beloved aunts and uncles. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Marjorie Sefton; niece, Myra Farris (Dan); nephews Steven Sefton (Lori), and David Sefton (Leann); great nephews and nieces; and great- great nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Gwynne’s children, Cathrynne, Carol, and Eric Vaughan, as well as granddaughters Ana Cole (Rob) and Mari Riera, who affectionately called her “GrandPat".