Katharyn B. Vaughn, also known as Kay, Purple Kay and Dragon Lady (to her children and grandchildren), age 89 of Westminster Village in Dover, DE passed away on March 2, 2018.

Born in Wilmington, DE on March 26, 1928, to George and Hazel Boehmler, she was raised in Smyrna, DE. Kay graduated from Smyrna High School in 1946. She then attended the University of Delaware and graduated in 1950 with a B.A. in Education.  She taught in the Smyrna school district for over 30 years, retiring in 1991.

Kay was a member of Delta Kappa Gama, Delaware State Education Association and the National Education Association. In addition, she was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Smyrna, DE.

Kay enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. After retiring she traveled throughout the United States and Europe with her lifelong friends Bunny Moore, Jane Jacobs and Marge Lamb. One of her favorite past times was eating crabs alongside her family and friends. She enjoyed playing bridge, the "slots" in Atlantic City and Las Vegas and competitive crab eating contests.

Kay was remarkable for many reasons including her steadfast faith in Christ, ability to always see the sunny side and do complicated math in her head, instant "Yes" when invited to travel and her insightful and entertaining quips.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles R. Vaughn I. She is survived by her children Celinda Ann Vaughn of Richmond, VA, Valerie Vaughn Munyan and her husband Ralph of Kansas City, MO, her son Charles R. Vaughn II and his wife Elizabeth of Georgetown, MD and her in-laws, Mary Vaughn Longenecker and Robert Vaughn, both of Wilmington, DE, Sherie Simon Vaughn of Dover, DE and Edna and Donald Vaughn of Cheswold, DE. She was the proud grandmother of Christopher Haynie, Jonathan Haynie, Melanie Vaughn and Katharyn Vaughn.

Kay's family would like to extend special thanks to the caring staff of Westminster Village.

The memorial service will be held at Saint Peter's Episcopal Church on Union Street in Smyrna on Saturday, March 24 at 11 a.m.
A reception will be held immediately following the service at the DE State Troopers Association, 6349 N. DuPont Hwy., Cheswold, DE.

The family suggests donations in her memory may be made to Saint Peter's Episcopal Church, 22 N. Union St., Smyrna, DE 19977; or Westminster Village, 1175 McKee Rd, Dover, DE 19904.

To sign the online guestbook, please click the tab above marked "sign guestbook".

Arrangements are by Matthews-Bryson Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Smyrna.