Obituary: Joan T. Vaughan

Obituary published and funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home and Crematory​.

Joan T Vaughan (Graver) was born 76 years ago to Thomas and Elizabeth (Connor) Graver in Chicago. Her formative years were spent on Seely Ave in Beverly surrounded by a large loving family. The fifth of eight children, Joan grew up in a loving, bustling household where there was rarely a quiet moment with her brothers and sister, Marge, Tom, Pat, Jerry, Mike, Matt and Dan.

She graduated from Saint Barnabas and then Longwood Academy before attending Saint Mary’s College and Saint Xavier. Graduating with a degree in education, she became a primary school teacher at Saint Louis de Montfort in Oak Lawn. While her career eventually led her away from teaching, she never stopped being one. Her natural patience and her passion for helping others learn stayed with her throughout her life.

In 1971, she married Daniel J. Vaughan and had three children, who undoubtedly won life’s lottery by having her for a mother. Daniel was born in 1974 and daughter Erin three years after that. The growing family moved from Chicago to Oak Forest, where they spent the next 20 plus years, first in Fieldcrest and then the Gingerwood neighborhood. The family was completed there with the birth of Meghan.

Following the birth of her children, Joan returned to school and received a masters in instructional design from Governors State University. Starting with her work at the Lupus Foundation, she transitioned to focus on fundraising and worked for the Mayo Center in Scottsdale before returning to Governors State as the Vice President of Development.

Tipped off by her daughter Meghan to a new business opportunity, she invested in Massage envy along with her son Dan. They spent the next 17 years owning and operating the Bloomingdale franchise and eventually the Palatine franchise.

Meanwhile, her family grew and nothing was more important to her. Her siblings and in-laws married. Marion, Nancy, Cam, Kathy, Mary, Kathy and Amy became sisters and her nieces and nephews gave her endless laughs and love. She loved her daughter-in-law Kim and son-in-law Justin as if she had always known them. Seven grandkids, Bridget, Brendan, Sadie, Patrick, Eve, Grace and Dennis were added and opened up a new chapter in her life. She enjoyed nothing more than having them around her and when she couldn’t be with them she talked to them on the phone, providing yet another generation with her love and wisdom. Hosting her family for holidays, parades, vacations and gingerbread houses were the highlights of every year, even if she occasionally forgot to turn the oven on.

While her professional achievements were impressive, it was in her private life where she was unequaled. Though her three kids presented unique challenges, she met all difficulties with love, a sympathetic ear and a knack for putting any problem in the proper perspective. Whether family, friend, co worker or employee, she was always there to help people at the most difficult times in their lives.

She loved, and was loved by, her family completely. Whether at home surrounded by her beloved grandkids, traveling around Ireland, or listening to live music her joy was infectious and her kindness unparalleled.

Her strength, in dealing with a debilitating cough for 25 years, was inspirational. Even at the worst of times, she was always a spark of light, bringing laughter and hope to those around her. To say those who knew her will miss her is sorely inadequate. She is irreplaceable.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hana

Visitation for Joan will be held Sunday, August 2, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 1201 W. Route 6 at Deerpath Drive, Morris, IL. Funeral services will be held Monday, August 3, 2026, at 9:15 a.m., from the funeral home to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 E. Jackson Street, Morris, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. For more information, please call (815) 942-5040 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you may leave an online condolence or share a favorite memory.

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