Carolyn Bernadette Allbaugh

Carolyn Bernadette (Wagner) Allbaugh, aged 64, of Knightdale, North Carolina, passed away on February 3, 2026 at Wake Medical Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina. Bernadette, as she preferred to be called, was born on April 18, 1961, to Dr. Lavern and Joan Wagner in Quincy, Illinois.

Bernadette was born with a congenital heart defect and not expected to survive, but lived long enough to benefit from a surgery that allowed her to enjoy being part of a large family. As a middle child among 14 siblings in a musical family, Bernadette often performed with them and eventually studied the clarinet, eventually receiving her BA in music and an MA in clarinet performance. She taught private lessons for many years and also became an elementary music teacher, first in Williamson County, Illinois and then later in San Bernardino County, California.

Bernadette is survived by her loving husband, Thomas Allbaugh, three children, Rachel (Hollie) Allbaugh, Carolyn Allbaugh, and Matthew Allbaugh, as well as siblings Gerard (late, Holly) Wagner, Mary Therese (James) Heffernan, Heidi (Timothy) Fielding, Brian (Audrey) Wagner, Jeanine (Margaret) Wagner, Theodore (Jean) Wagner, Cecilia Wagner, Martin (Karen) Wagner, Jillian (Cole) Miller, Erica Wagner, Christopher Wagner, and Todd (Alaina) Wagner. Bernadette is preceded in death by her youngest son, Michael Allbaugh, and her sister, Catherine Wagner-Inman. Bernadette was also preceded in death by her parents.

Arrangements are being made for her memorial service to be held in Raleigh, North Carolina on March 21, 2026. In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be made to the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA). Donations can be made online at achaheart.org/donate.