Stephanie S. (Taylor) Carbaugh, 53, of Waynesboro, PA, passed away Thursday morning, August 6, 2026, at Waynesboro Hospital following a courageous battle with a terminal illness.
Born October 26, 1972, in Hagerstown, MD, she was the daughter of Barbara S. (Snowberger) Hickman of Waynesboro and the late Larry D. Taylor.
Stephanie graduated from Waynesboro Area Senior High School with the Class of 1990 and later earned her Medical Records Certification through Franklin County Vo-Tech. She worked in medical records at Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown and later at Dr. Waheed’s office. She was most recently employed by The Record Herald in distribution.
Stephanie’s life was not always an easy one. She faced struggles, fought battles, and traveled some difficult roads – but those who knew her best knew that she was a fighter. She was tough, resilient, and never one to give up easily. Her story was not defined by the hardships she faced, but by the strength she found along the way.
One of Stephanie’s greatest loves were her dogs. She had a soft spot for animals, especially Pit Bulls, and a heart for those who were often misunderstood or overlooked – perhaps because, in many ways, she understood what it meant to be given another chance.
Stephanie attended the Waynesboro Church of the Brethren and, above all, cherished the time she spent with the people she loved. Life brought its share of complicated relationships and difficult seasons, but in the end, Stephanie found her way back to what mattered most: family. Her mom, sister, children, grandchildren, step-dad, fiancé, and the people who stood beside her became a source of love, comfort, and belonging.
She leaves behind a family who will remember not only the challenges she faced, but the laughter, memories, love, and strength that made her uniquely Stephanie.
In addition to her mother, Barbara, Stephanie is survived by her two children, Brandon G. Carbaugh and his fiancé, Audra, and Samantha C. Pacelli and her husband, Antonio, both of Waynesboro; her two beloved grandchildren, Brandon Carbaugh, Jr. and Carmine Pacelli; her sister, Dr. Allison B. Hickman-McFerren and her husband, Andrew, of Waynesboro; three nephews, Evan McFerren, Lawson McFerren, and Holden McFerren; her stepfather, Laurence Hickman, Jr., of Waynesboro; and her fiancé, Duane Rosenberry, of Waynesboro.
Stephanie leaves behind a legacy that cannot be summed up by the difficult chapters of her life. She was a mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, fiancé, and friend. She was a woman who knew hardship, but also knew love. She was a fighter until the very end, and she will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro, PA, with Pastor Andrew Paterno officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Stephanie’s memory to The Antietam Humane Society, 8513 Lyons Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268, or Knick Knack Pittie Pack at www.knickknackpittiepack.org.
Stephanie’s life was never perfect, but it was hers – and she fought hard to make her way through it. May she finally find the peace she spent a lifetime searching for, surrounded by the unconditional love she always found in family and four-legged friends.
