Shirley E. Vaughn

Shirley E. Vaughn of Chelan, Washington passed away on February 9, 2024 in her home after a brief battle with cancer.  Shirley was born March 6, 1937 in Everett, Washington to Richard Mahlum and Mary Ruth Whitely.  She spent a large part of her childhood in Wenatchee, Washington where she met and married Cal W. Vaughn on June 15, 1957.  She attended Wenatchee Valley College and the University of Washington where she earned her degree.  

She taught 4th grade in East Wenatchee before moving to Chelan in 1970 and started one of the first preschools in Chelan.  Many young children went through her preschool before she moved on to become a business owner.  Together with her daughter she built a successful retail store, The Shirt Shop.  She ran it for the next 3 decades.  

Shirley had a lifelong love of horses and always owned at least one for most of her adult life.  She was an excellent seamstress, loved to cook and loved skiing both downhill and cross country. She was a ski instructor at Mission Ridge and taught all her children how to ski.  In her later years she loved to travel and was able to see many things from Europe and Asia to most parts of the U.S.  In between the trips she loved her morning walks, working at the shop and watching the birds on her back porch.  

Being a part of the community was very important to her. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, PEO, Hospital Guild X, the Downtown Business Association and the Rustlers Saddle Club.  She helped with 4-H, the Rodeo, numerous fundraisers for the downtown business association and the local hospital.  

She was preceded in death by her parents and one great-grandson.  She leaves behind her husband, Cal Vaughn of Chelan, her daughter Deena (Keith) Jenkins of Chelan, son Scott Vaughn of Wenatchee, Son Brian (Antoinette) Vaughn of Spokane, 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 4 nieces and nephews. 

Memorial will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lake Chelan United Methodist Church, 206 N Emerson Street. 

If you have any thoughts and memories for the family, please post them at www.prechtrose.com.  Services are entrusted to Precht Rose Chapel of Chelan.