Helen Vaughn

Helen (Huerta) Vaughn. Our Heavenly Father mercifully called her home on October 26, 2015, in Pueblo, surrounded in the love of her siblings and other extended family. Helen was born on March 31, 1945 in Rockvale, Colorado. She was one of twelve children born to Gregorio and Helen (Carpio) Huerta. She was the eighth child and seventh daughter born to the family. She married Jerry Vaughn on April 26, 1986 in Avondale, Colorado. Helen nursed him through several years of declining health until his death in 2003. She was also preceded in death by her mother and father, brothers E. Edward and Frank Huerta, brothers-in-law Jack Maloney and Louis Lazo, grand-niece Erika Nicole Christensen and grand-nephew Christopher Antonio Martinez. Helen is survived by eight sisters and one brother: Inez (Joe) Gallagher, of Dorchester, Iowa, Martha (Frank) Martinez of Littleton, CO, Patricia Tomko and sister-in-law Marlene Huerta of Arvada, CO; and Felicitas Lazo, Gregoria (Edmund) Vallejo, Rose Marie (Jim) Tafoya, Catherine Maloney, Theresa (John) Martinez and Joseph (Brenda) Huerta, all of Pueblo, and stepsons Stephen and Robert Vaughn. She is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews. Helen was a 1963 graduate of Pueblo Catholic High School. Immediately after graduation she joined what was then the Mountain Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company as a long-distance operator. Over her career she served in many operational and supervisory capacities in the company that eventually became US West Communications. She retired from there after a distinguished career of 30 years. Helen lived in Arvada for many years before returning to Pueblo in 2004 after the death of her husband. Once home, she became the primary care giver for her mother until her death in 2013. Helen was an active member of Our Lady of the Meadows Catholic Church. She served tirelessly on the parish council and the bereavement committee. She also served as lector and extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and she was always available whenever she was called upon. Helen was a generous person with her time, talent and treasure. She will always be remembered for her “take-charge” personality. Her passing leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of her family and all she touched through her faith ministries. Her many nieces and nephews will always cherish her memory.

Helen Vaughn

March 31, 1945 - October 26, 2015