Kathleen Inez (Thayer) Vaughn a Needham resident for over 40 years died on Friday August 12, 2005 at the Newton Wellesley Alzheimer’s Center in Wellesley. She was 93 years old. Born Kathleen Inez Thayer in 1912 in St. Joseph Missouri she was the daughter of the late Katherine Cleota (Saunders) and Brant Crawford Thayer Jr. Her mother died when she was 3 weeks old. She was raised by her maternal grandparents in a comfortable home until she was 12. Her grandfather immigrated from Germany as a carpenter in the mid 1800’s. he eventually opened a furniture store. Kathleen was an only child, had mostly male playmates and was a bit of a tomboy. When her grandmother died Kathleen went to live with her father and stepmother (who was very kind and loving) in Chicago. He attended the University of Chicago, graduating in 1933 with a B.A. and in 1935 obtained an M.A. in Early Childhood Development. In 1935 she met Charles L. Vaughn and they wee married that year. They had 4 children in 10 years. They lived in Detroit, Chicago, Tucson, Washington DC and Greenwich CT before moving to Needham in 1961. In Greenwich she was Field Director of the Girl Scouts before teaching kindergarten at the Greenwich Country Day School. In Needham, she was an active member of the Carter Memorial United Methodist Church and was lead teacher and director of the carter Nursery School before her retirement in the mid 1980’s. She continued serving on the board of the Carter Nursery School until her mid 80’s. Her husband taught in the business faculty of Boston College from 1961 until his retirement in 1976. He died in 1994. After her retirement Mrs. Vaughn enjoyed traveling throughout the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. She enjoyed genealogy, reading and knitting. She loved being around young children and always enjoyed reading to them. The beloved wife of the late Charles L. Vaughn, she was the mother of Michael T. of Needham, Charles R. “Bud” of Salisbury MD, Kathleen V. Wright of Sandy Spring MD and Richard J. of Boston. Also survived by 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at the Carter memorial United Methodist Church, 800 Highland Ave Needham on Friday August 19th at 1:00 PM. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment at Needham Cemetery is private. In lieu of flowers donations in Kathleen’s name may be made to Carter memorial United Methodist Church Permanent Memorial Fund 800 Highland Ave Needham MA 02492. Arrangements by the Eaton Funeral Home 1351 Highland Ave Needham.