Mimi Vaughan

Adda "Mimi" Mary Virginia Roeder Vaughan, 76, of Towson, Maryland died Christmas Day in St. Joseph's Hospital. Mimi was born in Baltimore to the late Marvin Roeder and Virginia Roeder, 97. She was married to the late Thomas "Arky" Vaughan for over 30 years.

Mimi graduated from Roland Park Country School and the University of Tennessee. After pursuing graduate studies at the University of Hawaii, she taught English at Western High School. Mimi spent 51 years in business, founding Roeder Travel and Kailua Properties in 1973. She was also the founder and CEO of Roland Park Travel and Falls Road Travel.

Mimi was a prolific mentor, dedicated to the empowerment of women and minorities. She is the Past President of Network 2000. She served as a board member on various community organizations over the years, including Greater Baltimore Committee Advisory Board, the Selections Committee at Morgan State University Honors Business Program, Mercy Hospital, Roland Park Country School (Trustee), Associated Black Charities, Women's Entrepreneurs Board, Civic Works, Augusta Bank, and CFG Community Bank. Her awards include the Baltimore Business Journal's Top Minority Business Owner (2000 – 2010) and Top Woman Business Owner (2000 – 2010), The Daily Record's Circle of Excellence (1995, 1999, 2001), American Airlines' Sabre Star Award, and Amtrak's Gold Spike. Roeder Travel is the recipient of the Minority Business Award as one of the Top 3 Businesses for minorities in 2010.

She is survived by her three children, Virginia Ann Pizza (Oscar Aspillaga), Kelly Vaughan (Stephen Kramer), and Ryan Vaughan (Christine). She leaves six beloved grandchildren Caile Victoria Edwards, Livia Pizza, Ava Virginia Edwards, Thomas Vaughan, Alexa Vaughan and Austin Vaughan, all of the Baltimore area. She is also survived by her partner, John M. Myers Jr.. of Towson, Maryland, one sister, Anne Roeder Kern, of Mustang, OK, and a sister-in-law, Roycie Roeder of Las Crucess, New Mexico and her aunt, Fay Hardesty Voigt of Tuttle, OK. She was preceded in death by her father, two step-fathers, Alvin P. Wenger, M.D., and Ralph L. Cobb, her two brothers, James (Jimmy) Roeder and Edward Frederick ( Rick) Roeder, and a niece, Kathleen Elizabeth Roeder. Other Family survivors include three nieces, Jessica Roeder of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Tamara Fancher of San Juan Capistrano, CA and Christina Roeder of Staunton, Virginia and one nephew, Nicholas Davidson of Mustang, OK., and her beloved cats, Marshmallow and Tiger. She also leaves behind many treasured friends.

Mimi was often found poolside in a sunhat, grandchildren in tow. A memorial service will be held at Rucks Funeral Home in Towson, Maryland at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Stella Maris at giving@stellamaris.org.