Mary Vaughan Pautler

1932 - 2024

Mary Vaughan Pautler

March 16, 1932 - May 26, 2024

Lee's Summit, Missouri - Mary Vaughan Hammett Pautler, 92, died of natural causes on May 26, 2024 surrounded by the love of her family. She was born March 16, 1932 to J.H. Hammett Jr. and Roberta Griffith Hammett in Louisiana, Missouri. Raised in University City and then Kirkwood, Mary graduated from high school in 1949. She attended college at Southeast Missouri State College to study teaching, and while there met the love of her life Donald Charles Pautler. Graduating with her B.S. in Education in 1953 and marrying the same year, Mary soon followed Don to Camp Polk and then Fort Riley during the remainder of the Korean War. Three children were born to their union: Roberta, Matthew, and Charles. In 1958 the young couple moved to the Kansas City area, where Mary served as an elementary school speech therapist and assisted those with learning disabilities. Over the next 35 years Mary taught young children who needed extra help and who fell behind in the traditional classroom. She was always patient and gave children with special needs her attention and helped improve their lives. When she took a few years off to raise her youngest son, she taught students in her home. For many years she took night classes at Central Missouri State University, making the trek after a long day of work so that she could earn her Master of Science degree in Education, graduating in 1979. She was very proud of her roles as educator and mother, as well as providing a great home for her family. Mary loved to get her hands dirty, and in 1975 she and Don bought farm property in Stockton, Missouri. Eventually retiring there in 1993, together they built their dream home on 50 acres, where Mary tended a huge garden. Mary was a lover of books and the written word, and loved great fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She also loved music and enjoyed many genres. She was an avid antiques collector, and made many friends at farm auctions and antique shows over the years, and really loved her rustic country furniture, as well as family treasures that were passed down through the generations. She and Don were intrepid travelers as well, with their favorite places being the state of Alaska and countries France and England. Mary is survived by daughter Robbie (Tim) Keeling, son Matt Pautler, son Charlie (Mary) Pautler, grandchildren Liz (Herb) Adee, Steph (Seth) Vermillion, and great-grandchildren Alex, Ada, and Callen. Don, her loving husband of 64 years, predeceased her in 2018. Mary's legacy of love and education will not be forgotten. A visitation will be held from 5-7 pm Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Cullen Funeral Home in Raymore, Missouri. Graveside service in Evansville, Illinois will be at a later date. Donations in her name can be made to the Arthritis Foundation.