Katherine Mary McCaughan

Katherine Mary (Vidovich) McCaughan was born April 22, 1931 on a farm outside Kansas City, Kansas (Munsie). When she was 8 she traveled by herself with her dad to Ventura, CA. via Route 66. They were to check out California where her Uncle John was employed at a dairy farm. She recalls stopping at roadside cafes and bars through the desert. It must have been a good visit because the family moved to California in 1939. They lived in Glassell Park Los Angeles for a year and then bought a home in Downey in 1940.

Katherine attended Old River School Elementary, then Downey Junior High and Downey High School. She was a Varsity Cheerleader and Homecoming Queen prior to graduating in 1950.

During high school she worked at the Meralta and Avenue movie theaters. When she met our dad she was working at Morrison Knutson Engineering. She played hard to get before crashing into a milk truck in front of the McCaughan’s house on La Reina Avenue.

Katherine Vidovich married Edgar McCaughan on November 22,1952. Their wedding was cancelled in September 1952 because dad’s younger brother was killed in a motorcycle racing accident.

Mom was a Catholic turned Presbyterian. She loved the Mariners group at church along with many lifelong friends. Mom babysat for many working moms in the Downey area. After dad died she worked for over ten years as a cafeteria lady in the elementary schools.

She loved her four children, 15 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Her eternal desire is to always place God and Family as the number one priority. Katherine McCaughan died surrounded by her entire family on August 1, 2025. 

Katherine is survived by her four beloved children: daughters Paula Barnes (Rick), Noreen Gasdia (Brian), and Karen Trejo (Rick), all residing in Downey, CA, and son Gary McCaughan (Patty) of San Clemente, CA. She was a cherished grandmother to a remarkable legacy of grandchildren including Katie Barnes of Long Beach, CA, Kristin Macshane (Michael) of Brea, CA, Michael McCaughan (Kristi) of Michigan, Scott Barnes of Long Beach, CA, Lindsay Sandifer (Mitch) of San Clemente, CA, Nicholas Gasdia of Long Beach, CA, Marc McCaughan (Ashley) of Bonsall, CA, James Trejo (Jennifer) of Seal Beach, CA, Karen Dutch (Danny) of Long Beach, CA, Lauren Brooker (Bryan) of San Juan Capistrano, CA, Jaclyn Wolf (Andrew) of Downey, CA, Katherine Johnson (Lorel) of Downey, CA, and Gary Trejo (Madeline) of Long Beach, CA, as well as 25 great-grandchildren who brought her continued joy. She is also survived by her sister, Maryann Jack of Palm Desert, CA, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Edgar P. McCaughan, her parents Nicholas and Katherine Vidovich, her brother Nicholas Vidovich Jr., and grandchildren Andrew Gasdia and Kelsey Trejo.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, warmth, and cherished memories that will be treasured by all who knew her.

A funeral service to honor her life will take place on August 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church of Downey, located at 10544 Downey Ave, Downey, CA 90241. A Graveside Service will be private at Downey Cemetery.