In Memorium:  Lucy Vaughters

November 11, 1952 — January 18, 2019

We are very sad to announce that a great pillar of our homeopathic community, Lucy Vaughters, died on January 18, while swimming at a beach in Mexico. She loved swimming and body surfing, and apparently a strong wave overtook her. When she was brought to shore, CPR was begun immediately, and she was then taken to a medical facility, but she could not be revived. We are all reeling from this sudden and tragic loss!

Dr. Theo Matheny, a colleague who shared an office with Lucy, will be keeping a special area in the office to honor her memory. You can take expressions of condolence, flowers, or small tokens of your love for her during this time, and he will deliver them to her family at her memorial service sometime in March (to be announced). These can be taken or sent to: Dr. Theodore Matheny, 617 Dayton St. #2, Edmonds, WA 98020. If you would like to help Dr. Matheny with notifying her patients or offering to receive referrals, please let him know how you can help (425.776.3399).

Joleen took a beautiful “Burning Bush” to the family home with a sympathy card on behalf of WAHA. This bush is lush green in the summer and turns a vibrant red in the fall — a fitting reminder of our vibrant friend and colleague, who did so much for so many. Her spirit will not die.

May we all continue the community spirit of collaboration and care for homeopathy that were dear to Lucy’s heart, even as we make room for this loss.

Lucy Vaughters had a passion for homeopathy and for community.  She founded the Seattle School of Homeopathy with an intention to help the profession grow in a solid way that would give homeopathy a legitimate place in the health care community.  The number of graduates of the school, who went on to become certified almost doubled the numbers of certified homeopaths (CCH) in the Northwest.  She was fond of having potlucks at her home where homeopaths could gather and connect.  At one of these gatherings, she had a game going on in which people walked around with the name of a remedy on a card, pinned to their backs.  Someone would look at the name of the remedy and then tell the person its most obvious keynotes to see if they could name the remedy.  She liked looking for ways to teach and was, herself, an excellent teacher.  She was a favored speaker at the Cured Case Conference presented by WAHA in conjunction with Bastyr University in the spring.  She organized several conferences featuring the work of homeopaths around the country with different areas of expertise:  (help with addiction, understanding desert remedies, and working in disaster areas). Even when it became clear she could no longer maintain the Seattle School of Homeopathy, she still organized an 8-week course on First Aid to share the gift of homeopathy to a group of interested students.  She was alert to opportunities to work for “La Causa” (a kind of code word she used when communicating with me about working toward the good of our profession), and her gifts to the profession were many.  She changed the face of homeopathy in the Northwest and we will miss her.  And yes, Lucy Vaughters’ spirit of love for homeopathy and community will live on in our work and commitment to “La Causa.”

Patricia Kay

A Letter to Lucy Vaughters

Dear Lucy,

In the memories that linger with me now, the afterglow of your rich life still inspires admiration for your courage, persistence, and vision – the very attributes by which so many of us benefitted from your homeopathic calling, as students, colleagues, and patients.

I first learned of the Seattle School of Homeopathy from a medical intuitive who encouraged the pursuit of homeopathy as a healing force in the world, and the insistent truth of her encouragement took root.  In the way that fateful connections declare themselves at the outset, I recall with extraordinary clarity my first conversation with you, by phone, in which a portal opened and the way forward seemed self-evident.  I am still following the path that you blazed.

You were the pioneer who took the risks, wrote the curriculum, recruited the faculty, attracted the students, and (for years!) overcame the myriad logistical challenges of operating a school – a school of homeopathy, no less – while maintaining a successful practice and raising a family.  For the dedication of your efforts and the sheer scope of your accomplishments, I am deeply respectful.

The piercing sense of loss that so many of us feel now only underscores the countless ways in which you made the world a better place.

Until we meet again – gratefully,

Will Rogers