Sue Wade Vaughan, 82, died March 10, 2023 in Chandler, Arizona. Sue was the eldest of three daughters born in Winston-Salem, NC to Ruric Harlan Wade and Lector Dillon Wade.   Sue and her sisters grew up with few luxuries but enjoyed an extremely tight family bond that still endures. Sue married Barton D. Vaughan after obtaining her degree in Biology at Wake Forest University in 1962 and soon found herself teaching fifth grade students in Germany where Bart served as an officer in the Air Force. After his military service, Sue and Bart lived in several cities before making Overland Park, Kansas home for their own family.

View her memorial video at https://www.youtube.com/watch…

Sue became a single mom to two children in the early seventies, and built a successful career selling business supplies throughout the Kansas City area. She worked tirelessly to support her children and found time to serve as scout leader, church treasurer, poll worker and Sue remained dedicated to civic leadership throughout her life.

Sue was a tough but committed mother. After sending both her kids to college, she was finally able to resume her passion: world travel. Not one to take the tourist route, Sue became an activist in organizations that took her to China, Indonesia, Cambodia and Angkor Wat, Vietnam, Africa, Morocco, and more.  Whether she delivered much needed school supplies to far-flung tribes, built playgrounds at rural schools or helped Vietnam veterans return to the country where they served during war, Sue's travel photos and stories were legendary. She always brought beautiful souvenirs home from her travels, including a musical instrument from every country she visited.

Long before retirement, Sue was an avid and talented gardener, artist, philanthropist and cultural aficionado. Causes she supported include the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Heifer International, America's National Parks, PBS, NPR and Planned Parenthood. Sue was a skilled investor, and enjoyed working with young people as a financial advisor later in life. Endlessly curious, she was a lifelong learner and was generous with her considerable intellect and life experience.

Sue leaves behind Daughter Elizabeth Vaughan-Williams and her partner, Chad Hanstedt, son Andy Vaughan and his wife, Jessica Vaughan as well as sisters Emily Jane Wade and Martha Wade Pickett, Nieces Katherine Geibel, Whitney Pickett and Nephew William Wade Horner as well as many cousins, including Tom and Pat Livengood.  She is preceded in death by her much-adored father, Ruric Harlan Wade, Mother Lector Dillon Wade and, more recently, Son in-law Terry Andrew Williams and cousin William Elam who was a lifeline when Sue moved to Arizona to live with her daughter.  Sue also leaves behind a great many exceptional, devoted friends that brought happiness to her life.

A butterfly release and memorial service will be held at Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, Arizona on April 11. Always seeking to be useful, Sue's brain was donated to further Alzheimer's research and find a cure. Her remains will travel to El Rosario, Mexico, where she will rest beneath a tree at the Monarch Butterfly preserve.

In lieu of flowers, friends are welcome to donate to support Sue's last trip at http://spot.fund/kcbg5sc.    Thank you for honoring her memory by making travel possible, and please share your stories about Sue with her family.  It will be a comfort to collectively remember our friend, mother, sister, aunt and cousin.  She was one of a kind, and will be deeply missed. 

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