The Town of Westlock is mourning the loss of former mayor Kathleen Vaughan who passed away Dec. 24 after a lengthy battle with cancer.
She was 79.
Vaughan, better known to friends as Kay, was elected in 1986 and was Westlock’s first female mayor.
She served one term before losing to Doug Rice in the 1989 municipal election.
Former Coun. Joyce Ritter was on council for two terms in the late 1980s and served alongside Vaughan. She said the former mayor was always well versed on issues.
“She was very a very good mayor. She was always prepared,” Ritter recalled.
“If there was something on the agenda, she would read up on it and she was always prepared.”
Bill Curtis, who also served on council alongside Vaughan, said it was a pleasure to work with her.
“I thought she was a very good mayor, and a very knowledgeable person,” Curtis said.
“She got things done, was very through, and I enjoyed working with her.”
Current mayor Ralph Leriger offered his condolences on behalf of the municipality.
“We certainly offer our sincere condolences to the family. The Vaughans were a longtime Westlock family,” Leriger said.
“It was certainly groundbreaking that she broke that gender barrier.”
Among her accomplishments, Vaughan was a driving force behind the creation of the Westlock Aquatic Centre.
“The big thing was the aquatic centre … that was one of the big things she was interested in,” Ritter said.
“She felt it was going to be a real boost to our town and that citizens needed that recreation facility,” Curtis said.
The facility opened as the Westlock Community Recreation Centre in October 1989.
Away from the council table Vaughan is remembered for her community spirit, strong sense of volunteerism and as a hard worker.
“That’s quite an accomplishment to become mayor, and of course the first woman mayor, and defeated the incumbent (John Golonowski),” Ritter said.
“She worked very hard.”
Added Curtis: “She was a very good person. I really enjoyed her company.
“She was very well though of by other mayors.”
