BARBARA APPLEGARTH
Barbara Joyce Applegarth, 90, of Adena, Ohio, passed away on November 18, 2025, at Trinity Medical Center West with her loved ones by her side. She was born on March 23, 1935, in Painesville, Ohio to the late Raymond and Helen Randa.
Barb was Miss Ohio in 1954 and made it into the top 15 candidates for Miss USA that same year! She worked in the medical field as an assistant for many years. During her time living in Summersville, West Virginia, she volunteered and was in the Women’s Club at the hospital there. She was Catholic by faith. Barb and her husband, Bob, would have celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary on December 18. The pair met at the Polish Club in Fairpoint and it was love at first sight. From that day forward, they lived a life filled with patience, understanding, compassion, and most of all deep love toward one another. Along with her husband, Barb absolutely adored her friends and family. She cherished spending time with them, especially her grandchildren. Barb treated everyone with kindness. Her warmth and disposition were a comfort to anyone with whom she interacted. People loved to open up to her, and she loved hearing their stories. She was a great example to her family, and they encourage everyone to live a life filled with kindness and love just as Barb did.
She is survived by her husband, Robert H. “Bob” Applegarth; children, Jeffrey (Emily) Merrill, Melissa (Mark) Hofer, Robert P. “P.I.” (Rebecca) Applegarth and Lesley (Philip Puskarich) Applegarth; grandchildren, Meghan (Mike) Smith, Molly (Les) Gregg, Kurt (Mandy) Applegarth, Robert J. “R.J.” (Samantha) Applegarth, and Kirill (Morgan) Hofer; great-granchildren, Susie, Halee, Penny, Everley, Regan, Rori, Hannah, Logan, Raven and Eleanora; brother, Russell Randa; and many additional family members and friends.
In following her wishes, cremation will take place. A celebration of life will be held on December 13, 2025.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Road Home Animal Project, PO Box 522, St. Clairsville, Ohio 43950.
The memorial guestbook may be signed at clark-kirkland-barr. com.