MaryEllen Karas Vaughan, 84, died peacefully on September 22, 2024 in hospice care. She was the oldest daughter of the late Frank and Mary Karas of Chicago Heights, Illinois.

After graduating high school, MaryEllen had a career with Time/Life Magazine in Chicago, IL. She was a manager of keypunch operations for their early computers in the 1960's. She married John "Jack" Vaughan and they built a life together in Chicago and then eventually in Raleigh, NC. MaryEllen was a brilliant pianist, avid gardener, loved shopping and visiting friends over a good cup of coffee or a diet Coke! She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh. She was a big fan of Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and the Beatles. For many years she volunteered with school band activities and PTA in both Chicago and Raleigh. She was very proud of her four children and enjoyed hearing stories of everything her grandchildren were doing in their lives.

MaryEllen was preceded in death by her husband John.

She is survived by her sister, Rita Schultz, Gulf Breeze, FL, her four children Christine (Rich) Irwin of Lenoir, NC, David (Rebekah) Vaughan of Wilmington, NC, Scott (Kirsten) Vaughan of Cary, NC and Kelly (Bill) Farrow of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren Daniel Irwin, Aiden Vaughan, Deborah Irwin, Liam Vaughan, Lydia Vaughan, Beatrice Vaughan, Katherine Farrow and Alexander Farrow, nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of MaryEllen to The American Heart Association or Disabled Veterans National Foundation.