Vivian Bea Vaughan

December 21, 1938 – August 5, 2026

Vivian was born on December 21, 1938, in Pittsburg, Kansas, and passed away on August 5, 2026, in Burlington, Colorado.

She is survived by her siblings Nancy Bush, Jack and Sharon Goad, Roy Goad, Terry Goad, Barbara Jordan, Helen and Bob Leonard, and Judy Clyborn; her children Diana Jaques, Sylvia Echer, Deanette Knight, Alice and Bill Adams, and Jennifer Vaughan Black; as well as dozens of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandbabies on the way.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Frona B. Goad; her siblings Bill Goad, Margorie Goad, and Jim Goad; her daughter Debbie Barringer; her grandson Baby Russ; her granddaughter Liana Salas; and her great-grandson Miles Brent.

Service Information

August 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.

HORAN & McCONATY 7577 W. 80th Ave., Arvada, CO

Graveside services will follow at Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado.

A Life Remembered

Vivian Bea Vaughan lived a vibrant, brave, and beautifully full life. She was born on December 21, 1938, in Pittsburg, Kansas, to George and Frona Goad. She was one of eleven children in a home filled with noise, hard work, laughter, and love. From the beginning, Vivian learned how to care for people, especially babies. In many ways, she was simply built for mothering.

She became the mother of six daughters: Debbie, Diana, Sylvia, Deanette, Alice, and Jennifer. Through them, Vivian was blessed with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and soon, great-great-grandchildren. Her family grew beautifully around her, and her love reached each generation.

She also outlived three important men in her life: Jack LaGrow, Gary Vaughan, and Jack Butts.

Vivian was a devoted mother and a talented beautician. She spent her life helping people feel cared for, pampered, and beautiful. She loved elegance and carried herself with radiant confidence. She never walked out the door without her chin held high and her hair, makeup, and clothes just right. She proudly connected that grace and poise to her Scottish royal ancestors.

As a young woman, Vivian worked hard and collected stories that sounded like scenes from a movie. She and Aunt Nancy worked at the Fox Theater in Montrose. Vivian sold tickets, and Aunt Nancy worked the food counter. She loved remembering the excitement when Elvis movies came out and the girls went wild. Years later, when she drove past that theater, her face would light up as if part of her were still standing in that ticket booth. It was during those years that she met her first husband, Jack LaGrow.

Vivian was courageous. When life with her first husband became unsafe, she did what many women in those days were told not to do: she left. Pregnant and caring for four little girls, she saved what money she could, packed one toy and one change of clothes for each child, bought one-way train tickets to Wichita, and chose safety.

On that journey, strangers helped her. They fed her children, washed their clothes, and sent them on their way with full bellies and braided hair. Vivian always believed God had placed angels in her path.

Vivian was a hardworking single mother for many years in Wichita. Raising five girls alone was not easy. During that season, she met her second husband, Gary Vaughan. Through each chapter of her life, she served her family as a homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, and business owner.

After beauty school, Vivian owned her own business for 30 years. She ran a beauty shop inside Western Hills Nursing Home in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. There, she tenderly manicured nails, styled hair, did roller sets and perms, and cared for elderly clients who became her friends.

She loved pretty dishes, tea parties, and making people feel special. If you sat at one of her little tea parties, you were not just drinking tea. You were being loved in Vivian’s language: fancy cups, something sweet, and the unmistakable feeling that you mattered.

Vivian was the kind of woman who would answer a frantic call in the middle of the night, climb into her car, and drive straight into trouble to bring somebody home. Sometimes she rescued you with a hug. Sometimes she rescued you with a lecture. Either way, you were rescued.

Vivian fed people, clothed people, sheltered people, and cared for anyone who came through her door hungry, tired, lost, or hurting. She helped with bills, meals, children, rides, haircuts, and second chances. In her own way, she turned a towel, a plate of food, a clean shirt, and a firm “now listen here” into a ministry of love.

Her faith in God was deep and personal. She gave Him credit for her strength, her protection, and the moments when He had saved her. Two days before she passed, she asked her daughter, “Pray for me. I cannot go to a nursing home. Pray that God will save me.” I believe He did. I believe He took her home gently, in His time, and answered her prayer in the way she needed most.

Vivian was the ultimate mom and the ultimate grandma. In just a few months, she would have welcomed her first great-great-grandbaby. Her love will continue through every child, grandchild, great-grandchild, great-great-grandchild, family member, friend, stray soul, and lucky person she pulled into her circle.

Thank you, Vivian, for every rescue, every meal, every prayer, every story, every tea party, every haircut, every lesson, and every act of love. You were fierce, funny, faithful, generous, and completely unforgettable. We will carry you with us always.