Celebrating the life of
Barbara Kay Slagel
August 29, 1938 - January 07, 2010
Barbara Kay Slagel
Barbara Kay Slagel passed away on January 7, 2010 in Savannah, Georgia at the age of 71. The eldest daughter of the late Ray and Gertrude Schoening, she was born on August 29, 1938 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. After attending public schools in Kalamazoo, she earned a BS degree in Pharmacy from the University of Michigan. While there, she was nominated to become a member of the Circle Honor Society and Lambda Kappa Sigma. She practiced Pharmacy in Michigan at the University of Michigan Health Center and at the Carle Clinic in Urbana, Illinois.
Barbara was the beloved wife of Dr. Robert Slagel. Early married years were spent together at the University of Illinois, where Bob earned a Ph.D. in Chemistry. They began their family in Burnsville, Minnesota before moving to Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania. Barbara was a loving and fabulous homemaker, cook, and mother to her two children, Deborah and David. She was always involved in their activities and served as a Girl Scout Leader. She went on to become a very attentive and much loved Grandmother.
The family moved to Savannah and settled at The Landings on Skidaway Island in 1979 when Bob joined the Union Camp Corporation. In 1988, Bob's job took them to Sparta, New Jersey and then England before his retirement from Union Camp in 1996 brought them back to their beloved friends and family in Savannah. Her family has always been very proud of Barbara's generous heart and gift for gathering friendships deep and strong wherever life took her.
Barbara was an active member of each community they joined. She and Bob were always involved in church, singing in the choir and playing handbells. In 1966, she became a charter member of Chapter DP of P.E.O. in Burnsville, MN, solidifying a lifelong bond with that organization. She served as president and treasurer of P.E.O. local Chapter S. In Savannah, she was a member of the Landings Club and enjoyed her years playing team tennis before moving on to golf in later life. Barbara was an avid game player, loving bridge. As early members of Skidaway Presbyterian Church, She and Bob have been keenly committed to their church family. Barbara for many years directed the handbell choir in addition to other duties. She was a former volunteer at Candler Hospital and buyer for the gift shop and was most recently a volunteer at Savannah Medbank and active with the Savannah Friends of Music puppet program. In the last few years, Orchids were a passion, and she had joined the Deep South Orchid Society.
Surviving Barbara are her husband of 48 years, Robert Slagel; Daughter Deborah Wilber Todd and their children, Sean and Christopher Kruchten and Gabrielle Wilber of Warrenton, Virginia; Son David Slagel Katherine and their children, Elizabeth and Emily of Richmond Hill, Georgia; a sister Christeen Causey and her husband Jim of Plymouth, IN; a niece Sandy Garrison and her family of Plymouth, IN; a nephew Michael Causey and his family of The Woodlands, TX; and several dear cousins and extended family members.
Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010 at Skidaway Island Presbyterian Church.
A private interment will take place at a future date.
Memorials – Hospice Savannah, P.O. Box 13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416 and American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Bob, Mary Ellen and I are so sorry to learn about your wife's death. You were such a close couple that we know the days ahead will be very hard. Our prayers are with you. We will be on a trip this weekend and will miss the Memorial Service, but want to express our sorrow and support. Wells and Mary Ellen Nutt
- Wells Nutt, Savannah, GA
Barbara and I enjoyed working together at Medbank. She will be missed by all who knew her. Gene joins me in sending you, Bob, and all the family our thoughtful prayers.
- Shirley & Gene Hollen, Savannah, GA
Our condolences. Barbara will be missed.
- Gale & Gene Cartledge, Savannah, GA
Bob, we were so sorry to hear of the passing of Barb, but know that you and your family can be comforted knowing that it is a blessing for Barb. Our thoughts are with you all. Chris & Robyn
- Chris & Robyn Matthews, savannah, GA
We were so saddened to read of Barbara's passing. Our sincere condolences to you, Bob, and children. We remember with great joy our fun tennis years at the Landings, and our early involvement with the church with the two of you. We are so happy that our paths crossed with yours, and know that Barbara will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
- Lee & Paula Tompkins, Statesboro, GA
It is hard to say good-bye to those we have known and whose presence we have enjoyed for over 50 years. Distance prevented us from seeing each other frequently, but the times when we were together it was like we were seeing one another every day. Our deepest condolences to Bob and family.
- Linda & Dexter Thede, Aurora, OH
Please accept my sincere condolences. Mrs. Slagel had such energy and lived life to the fullest even through her illness. I treasure my dear friendship with your son David and his wife Katherine. I know their being so close to you is a comfort and blessing. May God help lessen your sorrow. My daughter Bess friends of Emily and Elizabeth and I will keep you in our prayers. Danny Cohen
- Danny Cohen, Savannah, GA
I am having trouble envisioning Chapter S without Barb. She was President when I was initiated. And I frequently sought her guidance as I took on officer positions. To her family, I give my sincere condolences - I am sure she was a steadfast rock for you as she was for our chapter. She will be sorely missed. I am praying for all of us.
- Mary Miller, Savannah, GA
Bob, Mary Ellen and I are so sorry to learn about your wife's death. You were such a close couple that we know the days ahead will be very hard. Our prayers are with you. We will be on a trip this weekend and will miss the Memorial Service, but want to express our sorrow and support. Wells and Mary Ellen Nutt
- Wells Nutt, Savannah, GA
Barbara and I enjoyed working together at Medbank. She will be missed by all who knew her. Gene joins me in sending you, Bob, and all the family our thoughtful prayers.
- Shirley & Gene Hollen, Savannah, GA
Our condolences. Barbara will be missed.
- Gale & Gene Cartledge, Savannah, GA
Bob, we were so sorry to hear of the passing of Barb, but know that you and your family can be comforted knowing that it is a blessing for Barb. Our thoughts are with you all. Chris & Robyn
- Chris & Robyn Matthews, savannah, GA
We were so saddened to read of Barbara's passing. Our sincere condolences to you, Bob, and children. We remember with great joy our fun tennis years at the Landings, and our early involvement with the church with the two of you. We are so happy that our paths crossed with yours, and know that Barbara will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
- Lee & Paula Tompkins, Statesboro, GA
It is hard to say good-bye to those we have known and whose presence we have enjoyed for over 50 years. Distance prevented us from seeing each other frequently, but the times when we were together it was like we were seeing one another every day. Our deepest condolences to Bob and family.
- Linda & Dexter Thede, Aurora, OH
Please accept my sincere condolences. Mrs. Slagel had such energy and lived life to the fullest even through her illness. I treasure my dear friendship with your son David and his wife Katherine. I know their being so close to you is a comfort and blessing. May God help lessen your sorrow. My daughter Bess friends of Emily and Elizabeth and I will keep you in our prayers. Danny Cohen
- Danny Cohen, Savannah, GA
I am having trouble envisioning Chapter S without Barb. She was President when I was initiated. And I frequently sought her guidance as I took on officer positions. To her family, I give my sincere condolences - I am sure she was a steadfast rock for you as she was for our chapter. She will be sorely missed. I am praying for all of us.
- Mary Miller, Savannah, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
