Louine Carol Anderson Vaughan, aged 82, of Centennial, Colorado, passed away peacefully on April 20, 2024. Born on February 2, 1942, in Warren, Ohio, to Carl and Dorothy Anderson, Louine was a pioneering spirit, whose dedication to the mental health community marked her distinguished career spanning 50 years.

Louine was raised in Orwell, Ohio where she had her first job as a telephone operator in 1958, and later graduated from Grand Valley High School in 1960. Louine began her college education at Muskegon College, transferring to Alaska Methodist University for her senior year, where she earned a BA in 1964. During her time in Alaska, Louine had a formative experience, living through the earthquake of 1964 in Anchorage. Louine would often speak of that experience, and how her best friend, Dennis, had saved her. Louine went on to receive an MSW from the University of Chicago, as well as a Certificate of Church and Community from McCormick Theological Seminary in 1968.

Louine’s career in social work began as a house mother at Eastfield Ming Quong and spanned over five decades. She was the first woman counselor at Oklahoma State University’s Counseling Department, and later obtained her LCSW in Colorado, and excelled as a therapist at Bethesda Mental Health Center. In 1978, Louine co-founded the Front Range Center in Denver, Colorado with her partners: Diane Cannizaro, Ernie Schwartz, Joe Gibson, and later Michael Kirby. The Front Range Center became a cornerstone of hope and healing for the greater Denver community. In 2012 Louine began her solo practice as psychotherapist, focusing primarily on marriage and Individual counseling.

Louine’s love for music was matched by her passion for friends and cousins. She found great joy, love and laughter in the travel, long talks, and countless hours she spent enjoying time with each of them. Her personal life was filled with deep love and connection. She married Tom Vaughan in 1968, and soon after, moved to Denver, Colorado where she had her beloved son, Guy Benjamin Vaughan. After her divorce in 1976, she found love again with Jean Milan in 1978, whom she married on April 16, 1982. Jean became the love of her life, and remained so despite his passing in 2000.

Louine was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, eagerly anticipating the arrival of her latest great-granddaughter. She is survived by her son, Guy Benjamin; daughter-in-law, KellyJo L. Vaughan; grandchildren, Zeb and Zoë Vaughan; and great-grandson, Ryder Vaughan.

Louine was a guiding light to her family and friends, as well as the many lives she touched through her professional and volunteer work.