Elkhart, Indiana - Celesta Ann Golden Vaughan, 85, of Elkhart, died at Elkhart General Hospital after a brief cancer battle on Friday, Feb. 20.

She was born in Lamesa, Texas in 1940 to Raymond and Fern (Stanley) Golden, who instilled in her a strong work ethic and love of west Texas.

She spent the first six years of her life in a small house on the family farm with no running water or electricity.

Her school bus was a pickup truck with wooden benches in the back that slid back and forth every time it started and stopped.

She was valedictorian at Seminole High School before studying at Hardin-Simmons University where she graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in history and education and a minor in speech and drama. She continued educating herself throughout her life taking a variety of classes and workshops and earning many certifications that she used in her professional career.

She taught Social Studies in Arlington Public Schools in Arlington, Texas as well as authored curriculum guides in preparation for integration.

She left teaching to raise a family with Dan Vaughan Sr in Dallas, Texas.

After moving to Elkhart, she spent time as a substitute teacher for Concord Community Schools and head cheer coach at Concord High School.

She found her professional home at Elkhart General Hospital and Elkhart General Home Care where she held many different administrative assistant/clerical support roles.

She retired from Elkhart General Home Care and then began her life of service to the community.

Her passion was in serving the aging population. She was an Advisory Council Member for the Real Services Area 2 Agency on Aging where she served as the chair of the operational guidelines committee.

She was a member of the Rotary Club of Elkhart.

Her favorite position of service was with the board of Council on Aging of Elkhart County. She served as the president of the board for the last three years.

To know her was to know of her love of Texas, football, wine, and slot machines. She was a collector of people and their life stories. She never knew a stranger. Once she met you, you were her friend for life. She was a treasure.

Anyone who knew her knew the love she had for her family.

She is survived by son, Dan Vaughan Jr. and wife, Dr. GayMarie Vaughan of Dallas, Texas; son, Sam Vaughan and wife, Stephanie of Elkhart; son, Chris Vaughan and wife, Dr. Annie Kahn Vaughan of Dallas, Texas; daughter, Celesta Michelle McDonald and husband, Joe of Northglenn, Colorado; grandchildren, Bennett Vaughan, Maxwell Vaughan and fiancé, Lauren Ostrowski, Declan and Teagan McDonald; bonus grandchildren, Jak Kurdi and wife, Maddie, and Caroline Kurdi; sister, Connie Golden Lamm; and many nieces and nephews that she adored.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, The Omega Event Center in Elkhart, from 12:00-3:00 p.m. The gathering will be an informal time of fellowship and sharing of memories and stories, just as Celesta would have enjoyed.

Burial services with family will be held in Seminole, Texas at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Council on Aging of Elkhart County, 131 Tyler St Suite 1A, Elkhart, Indiana 46516 http://www.elkhartcoa.org/donate.

Walley-Mills-Zimmerman Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.