Mary Kathleen Vaughan, aged 80, died on April 23rd, 2024, in Louisville, CO.
She was born on September 7th, 1943 in Houston and adopted as Mary Kathleen Cotten by William and Ana Cotten.
She lived most of her life in San Antonio, TX, but moved to Longmont, CO, in 2022.
From childhood until death, Mary was diligent, disciplined, and careful in her work.
She graduated at the top of her class from St. Pius X High School in Houston and attended the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Houston on scholarship.
There she met George M. Vaughan, and they were married on July 2nd, 1964. Mar y earned her Ph.D. in neuroanatomy from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, while George was in medical school there. Mary was professor of neuroanatomy at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for 44 years, from 1973 until 2017. There she and George collaborated on research into hormones, such as melatonin, that correlate photoperiod and reproductive physiology in mammals.
Mary won many teaching awards over the years for her lectures to medical and dental students.
She is preceded in passing by her husband of 59 years, George. She is survived by her sons, Thomas, Charles, and Christopher, their wives Vanessa, Misha, and Stephanie (respectively), 13 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
The rosary-vigil will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Longmont, CO, on June 13th, 2024 at 6:00 PM (Mountain Time).
The funeral Mass will be held also at St. Francis but on June 14th at 10:30 AM (Mountain Time).
A brief, grave-side liturgy will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, TX, on July 19th, 2024 at 10:30 AM (Central Time).