Lessie Mina Quander

Lessie Vaughan Quander was born on January 19, 1914 to the late Alice Vaughan Robinson and James S. Vaughan in Mobile, Alabama. She completed her elementary and high school education in Mobile and as a young woman moved to Washington, DC in search of career opportunities and a happy, fulfilling life. In 1942, she began her career at the War Department (now the U.S. Department of Defense), from which she retired in 1972, with thirty years of federal government service. While employed at the Department of Defense, she worked in several positions and served in various capacities, retiring as a military personnel analyst for the United States Army. After retiring, Lessie traveled extensively, and visited many places in the United States, Europe, Central America and the Caribbean. When at home, she attended classes at Catholic University so she could pursue her favorite hobbies of Interior Decorating and Landscape Design. She loved to garden and decorate for family and friends and enjoyed making interior spaces both functional and beautiful. Always on the go, she committed most of her time to community service and several non-profit organizations including the Derby Wives, Musolit Club, Washington, DC Chapter of The Moles Inc., and the National Council of Negro Women whose members joined together to support charitable causes, to socialize and to share educational and personal growth opportunities. As a loyal and faithful member of St. Gabriel Catholic Church, she became very involved in the activities of her parish working tirelessly with the Sodality, Silver Threads, Ladies of Charity and the Social Concerns Committee. She was a loving and caring person who embraced everyone with her smile and special affection, and always offered to assist in any way she could. Family members to precede her in death include John, her devoted husband and friend of forty-five years; five siblings - Irene Greene, Marie Madison, Ernestine Moore, Evelyn Parker, Dorothy Mae Vaughan and other loving relatives. Lessie leaves to cherish her precious memories, a daughter, Alice Quander, granddaughter, Tracey Smedley, great-granddaughter, Ysabella Quander-Smedley; nieces, nephews, cousins and many caring friends.

Tributes

Lessie Mina Quander

January 19, 1914 - January 5, 2020