Vaughna Plaza

1949 - 2025

Vaughna Rae (Gates) Plaza passed on Oct. 8, 2025, in a Sacramento care home after an eight-year struggle with Alzheimer's. She was 76 years old.

Vaughna always said she had an idyllic childhood, growing up in a little house on 50th Street in Sacramento, surrounded by wonderful neighbors. She worked at CalTrans where she met her husband Tim Plaza. Although Vaughna was born and raised in Sacramento, her heart was rooted in Trinity County too where strong family connections thrived through her parents. Vaughna and Tim retired to Weaverville in 1998, but declining health required them to move to Folsom in 2021.

Vaughna was always quick with a friendly, warm smile and had a way of making people and animals feel safe and comfortable. She trained her dogs to visit hospice patients in Sacramento hospitals and volunteered extensively at the Trinity Animal Shelter.

Vaughna is survived by her husband of 53 years, Tim Plaza, their son Joshua Plaza (Carissa), and grandchildren Elliot and Evelyn; plus stepchildren Tina Veer (Gary), grandchildren Emily and Aaron (Kelly ) and great-grandchildren Ella and Paul; Diane Plaza, and grandchildren Zach and Ruben (Michelle), and great-grandchildren Mila, Quentin and Zariah; Tim Plaza (Nicole) and grandchildren Mason, Marissa and Adele. She is also survived by her nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Vaughan and Virginia (Domenici) Gates, and her half-siblings Maxwell Vaughan Gates (Kiyoko) and Margo (Gates) Johnson.

At her request, no services are planned. She will be buried in the Weaverville Cemetery in Trinity County, California.