Obituary: Sandra Vaughan, Legendary Plainfield Dance Teacher

PLAINFIELD, IL — For more than 40 years, Sandra J. Vaughan taught dance to students from throughout the suburbs, but there's one lesson that stood out above the rest: "To always be kind, no matter what. Even if your competition isn't, make sure that you are. If there's anything she left behind, that would be her in a nutshell," daughter Victoria Vigna said.

Vaughan, 76, died Monday, leaving behind a legacy that began when she launched her own dance studio in 1972 with the support of her family.

"We always say we grew up in a mini-mall," joked Vigna, referring to Vaughan Dance Academy's original location on Route 30. Vaughan and husband Richard purchased the property, which contained a food store, upholstery shop and more, converting it into their home and dance studio.

"She managed to talk him into selling his family home and buying a mini-mall," Vigna said of her strong-willed mother, who began teaching dance at age 14 for Virginia Kelly in Joliet. By age 16, she was touring with the Barnes & Carruthers dance troupe before attending the prestigious Juilliard School Dance Division in New York City.

But she left Juilliard behind to marry Richard, the love of her life.

"She fell in love with my dad and that was it," Vigna said. "She wanted to marry him and raise a family."

Sandra and Richard, a photographer, did just that, raising children Brian Vaughan, Samantha Vaughan and Victoria Vigna.

Along the way, Vaughan created a legacy at her dance academy, starting with a first class of 90 students in 1972 and growing, at one point, to more than 700 students. Today, Vaughan Dance Academy has classes for ages 2 through 18, offering everything from ballet to jazz and pointe, contemporary dance, tumbling and an award-winning dance team.

Vigna said the family estimates that Vaughan Dance Academy had close to 10,000 students over the decades.

"We're on the third generation (of students) at this point," Vigna said. Along with her two daughters and sister Samantha, Vigna continues her mother's legacy as a teacher at the dance academy, which now has a main studio at 24116 W. Lockport St. and a home studio at 15512 S. Fox River St.

"(Vaughan) had a smile that lit up a room," Vigna said. "That's the effect she had on people."

Vaughan was preceded in death by Richard, who passed away in 2006.

"Sandy took the hand of her beloved husband Richard and gracefully danced into eternity… leaving behind a legacy of love to her family, friends and the countless students who knew her as 'Mrs. V,'" her obituary says:

Sandy is survived by her loving children, Brian Vaughan, Victoria (Peter) Vigna and Samantha Vaughan; her cherished grandchildren, Kristopher Rinkenberger Vaughan, Emily (Christopher) Cruver, Gabriella and Peter Vigna, Jr. and her special great-granddaughter, Eleanor Cruver; her best friend, Nemo; her dear brother, Leon Schroeder; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and great friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Vaughan in 2006.

Sandy started her love of dance at the age of 9. She attended Joliet Central High School and belonged to dance clubs in modern, ballet, tap and tumbling. By the age of 14, she began teaching for Virginia Kelly in Joliet. When she was 16, Sandy toured with Barnes & Carruthers dance troupe and performed at State Fairs throughout the country. Sandy attended the prestigious Juilliard School Dance Division in New York City. In 1972, Sandy was proud to establish the Vaughan Dance Academy and has offered quality dance instruction to thousands of students ever since.

Sandy loved to travel. Together with Richard, Sandy saw the world. She enjoyed the sun-soaked beaches of the Caribbean just as much as a simple campground with her family at her side. Sandy also loved to garden and kept her home like a showplace for all to enjoy. She was also a longtime member and supporter of the Plainfield Kiwanis Club. Sandy will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 20, at Overman-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, located at routes 30 and 59 in Plainfield. A celebration of Vaughan's life will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 21, at the funeral home, followed by private family interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Joliet.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431.