Obituary of Marion Vaughn

Marion (Chick) Connelly Vaughn was born to Joseph and Mary (Harte) Connelly at their family home in Medford on August 20,1925. Her heart never left Medford. She met her soul mate Thomas Vaughn (deceased), in Medford. He grew up in the old Medford Hotel, now J & R’s. She went to work in the Medford Post Office after graduating from Bellport High School at the age of 16, and married Tom in November 1946, after he returned from serving in the Navy during World War II. They raised four children together: Sharon Ellis (Al) of Medford, Kathleen Pedatella, (deceased) (Anthony) of East Patchogue, Thomas, Jr., (Myra) of Manorville; and Patrick (Kim) of Triangle, Va. After raising her children, she worked for Blackman’s in Medford. Many of her descendents and much of her extended family still reside in Medford, including her sister “Winnie” Mulderig, and brother Edward. Of her surviving siblings, only John lives out-of-state. She died on December 16, 2013, in her long-time home where she raised her children on Jamaica Ave., a block from her birthplace. The home was built by her father, husband and other members of the family. Marion was known to all as “Chick,” a name her father coined from the time she was very young, playing with the baby chickens in their yard. Many friends never knew her birth name. She was baptized, married and on Thursday, December 19, will be laid to rest from St. Sylvester’s Church in Medford. A life-long member of the church, she had strong ties to St. Sylvester’s. Her father once expanded the church as the local congregation grew. She always looked forward to the Christmas Eve service when her extended family would join her at the church, filling three entire pews. With a husband and brothers active in the Medford Volunteer Fire Department, Chick, too, served her community. She was a 50-year member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Patrick, her firstborn grandson, uses three words to describe his grandmother: family, loyalty and service. Her family was the first and most important ingredient in her life. When she was hospitalized in November, a steady stream of her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews filled her hospital room. She appreciated each and every one of them. They brought joy into her life, just as her presence enriched their lives. Later, when in rehab, it was Zeus, a boxer and loyal companion, whose visits were most comforting. She couldn’t wait to get home to her sofa, that she shared with Zeus. Chick died there in her sleep on December 16. In addition to her siblings and children, she is survived by 13 grandchildren: Patrick (Julia) Vaughn, Anthony (Lisa) Pedatella, Jeff (Heather) Ellis, Tracy (Roger) Berner, Amy Pedatella, Heather Guida, Scott (Kim) Ellis, Thomas Vaughn, David Vaughn, Steven (Elizabeth) Ellis, Patricia (Matthew) Millheiser, Lindsey Vaughn, and Jonathan Vaughn; as well as 13 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandson. The family will receive friends at the Medford Firehouse, 171 Oregon Road, Medford on Thursday, December 19, from 2 to 4PM and 7 to 9 PM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 20, at St. Sylvester’s, Medford, at 9:30 AM.