Claire McCloskey Vaughn

Vaughn, Claire McCloskey
July 28, 1933 - October 9, 2011
Born to Irish parents (Helen and Jim) in Oklahoma City, the McCloskeys moved west to California. Growing up on a ranch in Topanga Canyon with her brothers and sister, Jim, Eugene and Helen, Claire developed a lifelong affinity for animals and the outdoor life. After leaving Topanga Canyon, her father built a home in Pacific Palisades and she became fascinated by a place called Rustic Canyon. While in her teens, she fell in love with and married Bob Willison and had three adorable children, Bobby, Greg and Liz. Tragically, her husband Bob was killed in a plane crash and Claire was widowed when she was just 27. Dear friends introduced her to Bill Vaughn, an up-and-coming lawyer at O'Melveny and Myers. They fell in love, married and had three more adorable children, Tony, Christy and Jimmy. The Willisons became Vaughns and a tight family of eight was formed, with Claire lovingly in the middle. Needing more room, Claire and Bill bought an old ranch home in Rustic Canyon, the place of her dreams, where she lived for the rest of her life. There was no place she loved more. Family and friends were always welcomed with loving hugs from Claire. Even though tragedy visited her often, especially with the death of her son Bobby, she built a legacy of unconditional love and forgiveness. She was warm, witty, caring and had a playful sense of humor that made everyone who knew her, love her. The spark in her eye and the joy in her laugh could make anyone's day better. All of her family adored her, especially her brother Gene and his wife Gail, her son Greg and his wife Lisa along with their sons, Bobby, Matt and Willie, her daughter Liz and husband Kipp, son Tony and his three children, Karli, Hannah and Luke, daughter Christy and her son Cooper and son Jimmy and his wife Patty and their sons, Morgan and Parker. A service will be held at St. Martin of Tours Church in Brentwood on 10/17/11 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations either to the MS Society or the Cancer Society.