Judith Vaughn

Judy was born in Cadyville on Dec. 6, 1944, sixth of the Magnificent Seven Bunkers (Joann, Barb, Nita, Jerry, Rod and Bill) to Leon and Cora (Morgan) Bunker.

Judy married Charles (Chuck) Smith on Sept. 17, 1966. Their three surviving daughters include Shelly Wood (Dana), Tara Evans (Dan), and Tisha Smith, all of Saranac Lake. Chuck went on his journey to be with his Heavenly Father, on March 6, 2006. Grandchildren include Ethan and Emma Wood; Ayden and Boden Evans; Kayla Noto, Vincent Noto, and Olivia and Jae Fina. Great-grandchildren include Damien Muncil and David Grant.

Judy is survived by her husband, Loren Vaughn. They met in the spring of 2010, and they wed on Oct. 16, 2010. Loren brought Adrian, Dale, Jean, Monte, Tracey, Danny and Amanda to her family. Together they traveled many miles across the country visiting as many National Parks, friends and family as they could find.

Judy hated her feet being touched, had a passion for quilting with the Mountain Mamas quilting group and donated hundreds of quilts for local organizations including Catholic Charities and the Veterans Association. During the pandemic she sewed thousands of masks for the Tri-Lakes community. She loved to travel and had been to many destinations including Hawaii and the Memorial site of the USS Arizona as well as many spring breaks with her daughters to anywhere there wasn’t snow.

Early in life, Judy worked at the Saranac Lake Dress Factory, behind the counter of the famous E&M Market, and Trudeau Institute. While raising her daughters, she went on to earn her Associate’s Degree of Business from North Country Community College. After graduation she went to work at the Adirondack Park Agency where she worked for over 25 years where she became a top-ranking official within the agency before retiring in 2007. Grandma’s Taxi Service and Day Care was always in business.

Judy was predeceased by her mother and father; her siblings Joann, Nita and Jerry; and former husband Chuck Smith.

Judy was loved by many within the community. Her beloved dogs, Willow and Zorro, will miss her terribly.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983.

A gathering will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at Fortune-Keough Funeral Home from 4-6 p.m. with a memorial service at 6 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad and/or to the Tri-Lakes Animal Shelter.

Family and friends wishing to remember Judy Vaughn may send a condolence, share a memory or sign the online guest book at www.fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.