Barbara Leone was born on April 13, 1936, to parents Fredrick and Henrietta “Reta” (McKay) Hagedorn. She joined older brother Wilfred (1934) and resided on the family farm on Concession 8 in Elderslie Township. Sadly, Wilfred died in 1945, at the young age of 11, and Barb was left with the void of losing her only sibling. She went on to attend school nearby at Gillies Hill before attending high school in Chesley.
In 1952, Barb met and married Harry Pegelo. Sadly, their first daughter Patsy (1953) died at the age of three months, but others soon followed with the arrival of Kathryn in 1954, Ken (1955) and Rick (1957). Barb and Harry soon went their separate ways. In time she was blessed to be introduced to a man by the name of Robert Beverley “Bev” Carnahan. Together they welcomed three more children, Ruth (1959), Susan (1961) and Bev (1962). Now life in the Carnahan house was busy, to say the least with Barb having six children, ages 8 and under. Yikes! Barb was an excellent mother though and put the needs of her kids and her family first. In 1967, the Carnahans relocated to Guelph, following Bev’s work. Barb and Bev formally married at a ceremony in Guelph in 1972. With the kids now all in school, she entered the workforce and began working for Omark in Guelph.
In the mid 1970’s the family returned to Grey Bruce to be near Bev’s roots, settling in Kemble township near Francis Lake. Once settled, Barb took a job opportunity at RBW in Owen Sound where she remained until her retirement in 1991 at the age of 55. Around that time, they severed a lot off the farm, where they built a new home. Once Barb and Bev were both retired, they were able to enjoy more time with family, particularly the grandchildren and friends. Barb took great pride in her new home entertaining often: many a card game was played around their kitchen table.
In 1999, Barb and Bev made their final move, this time returning to Barb’s roots in Chesley. Barb was always one to remain active and quickly became involved with the local Women’s Institute, and the Chesley branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Barb’s faith also played an important role in her life and she was an active member of St. John’s United Church in Chesley. In addition to attending regularly, Barb was always volunteering her time and talents wherever she could help out, not only at church but throughout her community.
When time allowed for it, Barb enjoyed quilting, knitting, gardening, refinishing furniture and dancing. She and Bev also liked to camp. They belonged to the “Twin C’s” and continued to upgrade their camper through the years. Their adventures took them all over Ontario, out West, out East, and to much of the States. In later years, Barb and Bev often called Citrus Hill RV Resort, Dade City, Florida home for the winter months. When not busy traveling Barb enjoyed working with their Standardbred horses and attending a variety of horse shows. When not outdoors, she was busy in the kitchen often canning and baking. I am told her family’s favorites included Barb’s pies, particularly pumpkin, apple, and mincemeat, and her Christmas pudding.
Sadly, Bev died in 2002, and Barb was left to live-on without him, and that she did with the support of family and friends. In the years that followed Barb remained busy, always paying kindness forward and helping wherever she could. As her kids all said, “If you called mom and needed something, she was always there. She would drop what she was doing and come right away.” Barb was a strong, out-going woman who wasn’t afraid to put in the hard work. Her mothering nature was always present and she was always quick to forgive others. She enjoyed entertaining family and friends, sitting down with a good romance novel, or just relaxing and enjoyed a nice glass of wine… or maybe two! 🙂 However, all joking aside, Barb’s family was her world and she in turn was their rock. Her life and legacy will now live on in the hearts, minds, and stories of the generations that follow her.
In recent months, Barb’s health began to decline and she passed away at South Bruce Grey Health Centre, Chesley on Sunday, December 27, 2020 in her 85th year.
Loving mother of Kathryn Weppler, Rick (Debbie) Pegelo, Ruth (Randy) Moore, Susan (Rick) Abell, Bev (Carole) Carnahan, and mother-in-law of Lynn Carnahan. Barb will be dearly missed by her grandchildren Barbara (Les), Betty (Jim), Brenda (Paul), Bonnie, Stephanie, Richard (Jess), Tyrell (Sarah), Kayla (Kyle), Rob (Kaylee), Kristine (Justin), Jenna (Dave), Amanda (Arron), Jesse, Matthew, Meghan, and nineteen great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband Beverley (2002), daughter Patsy, son Ken, step-children Robert, Michael, and Susan, brother Wilfred Hagedorn and her parents Fredrick and Reta (McKay) Hagedorn.
A celebration of Barb’s life will be held at a later date, when it is safe to do so, with inurnment to follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Georgian Bluffs.
Memorial donations to The Kidney Foundation of Canada or Heart & Stroke Foundation would be appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
