05/06/2026
Meghan’s family at Stokely Farms will miss her sweet laugh and kind demeanor forever.
Ride in loving peace.
Meghan Patricia Cecilia Carney, 53, passed away on April 26, 2026. She was born on December 30, 1972, in Bay Shore, New York, and was raised in Barrington and Woodstock, Illinois. In adulthood, she made her home in Lexington, Kentucky, where she built a life centered on her passions and the people and causes she cared for deeply.
Meghan was, above all, a kind and compassionate soul. She carried a deep love for animals throughout her life—especially horses, cats, and the spirited little rescue dogs she so adored. Her empathy extended beyond animals to people as well; she was a thoughtful advocate for women and for those who often went unheard or overlooked, guided by a strong sense of fairness and care for others.
A dedicated student, Meghan graduated on an academic scholarship from Southwest Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Her lifelong love of reading led her to begin her career as a librarian in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Yet it was her enduring passion for horses that ultimately drew her to Lexington, where she worked with the US Hunter Jumper Association, finding a deeper connection to the world she loved most.
Meghan’s curiosity and eye for beauty later led her into the world of vintage jewelry, where she operated a resale business buying and selling unique pieces. She also found joy in travel, movies, and reality television—especially programs centered on the craft and commerce of jewelry. She had a famously enthusiastic sweet tooth, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that more than a few Lexington donut shops will feel her absence.
She also carried a sense of humor about life’s quirks and ironies, none more so than her distinction as the only member of the Carney family inducted into the Barrington High School Athletic Hall of Fame for golf—despite not graduating from Barrington High School and, by her own admission, not being especially skilled at the game. It was a story she—and those who loved her—cherished.
Meghan is survived by her lifetime partner, Patrick Anderson of Lexington; her brothers, Thomas (Lacey Devereaux) of Charleston, South Carolina, and Kevin (Summer) of Santa Cruz, California; and her beloved nieces, Olivia, Ava, Scarlett, and Willa. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Patricia.
Meghan was a light to all who knew her. Her warmth, wit, compassion, and unmistakable spirit will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.
A gathering of her friends will be held at a later time to celebrate Meghan’s life and the many ways she touched the hearts of those around her.
