Lena Rose Vaughan

Lena Rose Vaughan, 88, of Gonzales, passed away Thursday, July 6. Lena Rose was born the eldest of 13 children on April 8, 1929 in Gonzales to Otto and Annie Engelbach Tieken. She married William H. “Bill” Vaughan on April 8, 1947 in Gonzales.

In her youth, Lena worked on the family dairy farm and having been the eldest child of the family it was essential she help care for all the younger children when she was old enough to care for them. Lena also worked at the cotton mill. On her 18th birthday Lena married Bill Vaughan and went to work for GTE as a switchboard operator and for a short while with Verizon. She retired from the phone company after 32 years of service. All the while Lena was working for Avon selling beauty products and supplies. She worked with Avon for 56 years and was popularly known as the Avon Lady. She was so successful that Lena made the President’s Club in the Avon salesforce almost every year for being a top salesperson.

Lena was a very kind, gentle woman who was respectful of all people. She was an excellent cook and found great comfort in watching family and friends enjoying her cooking. She was a very good homemaker in spite of working so many long hours. Lena was a wonderful mother and loving grandmother and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren called her Maw-Maw and her great-grandchildren called her Big Maw. She loved having all the children around and wasn’t afraid to taunt the misbehaving grandchildren with a pop from her fly swatter, but it was always just a taunt. Lena loved to listen to music and those that knew her surely can she Lena’s beautiful smile as the music filled the room.

Lena Rose Vaughan is survived by her loving family, son and daughter-in-law, David G. “Rusty” Vaughan and Debbie of Onalaska, daughter-in-law, Marilyn Vaughan of Seguin, sisters and brothers-in-law, Dollie Ann Vasgue of San Antonio, Charlissa and Charles Bolton of Luling, Jeannie and Gerald Koenning of St. Hedwig, Lisetta and Larry Tharp of Gonzales, brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Betty Tieken, Gerald and Charlotte Tieken, Donald and Annie Tieken all of Gonzales and Dale and Martha Tieken of San Antonio, an adoring sister-in-law, Patsy Tieken of Gonzales, grandchildren, Jean Ann and Todd Grubb, Debra and Jake Mueller, Kenneth and Barbie Vaughan, Brandy and Bart Frames, Maegan and Paul Gregory, Tracie Chanall and 11 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a son, William K. “Butch” Vaughan, brother, Otto Tieken, Jr., John Henry Tieken, James Lynn Tieken and Holmes William Tieken.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home with Pastor Ildiko Rigney officiating. Interment will follow in Saturn Community Cemetery. Pallbearers: Derek Tieken, Bruce Tieken, Gene Tieken, Gerald Tieken, Raegan Tieken and Gerald Koenning Jr. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday in Seydler-Hill Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation or Saturn Community Cemetery Association. Friends may sign the guestbook by going to www.seydlerhillfuneralhome.com. Services are under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.