Margaret Phalor Barnhart lived in Columbus, OH for the first 25 years of her life. In that time she married and bore a son. Another boy was born five years later. She worked in different locations as an elementary teacher and counselor.Margaret graduated from Bexley High School, Capital University in 1962 (elementary education), Miami University in 1970 (guidance and counseling), and Wright State University in 1988, with a major in Art Therapy--all in Ohio.Following 17 years of working in the schools, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Treatment consisted of mastectomy and chemotherapy, leaving her body too weak to work full time. She was granted disability retirement in 1989.

During the period of chemotherapy she authored, "Journey Unknown, Focusing on the "Emotional Aspects of Cancer, Mastectomy and Chemotherapy." Some speaking engagements allowed her to tell the story.Margaret and her first husband, Walter Schrof, divorced and later she married Charles Barnhart, a man blind since the age of 10. In both of her marriages travel presented opportunities of learning different cultures.She and Charles moved to Arizona in 1998 where the climate and blue skies worked to eliminate years of depression. Mrs. Barnhart has served as treasurer of Tucson Society of the Blind for five years, is a member of Tucson Rincon Lion's Club, and is a commissioned Stephen Minister with Christ Community Church.