Margaret Lou Parsons Oldroyd (August 6, 1939 – March 4, 2026) was a beloved matriarch, a dedicated community servant, and a lifelong fixture of Wayne County, Utah. Known for her boundless compassion and deep-rooted commitment to her neighbors, Oldroyd’s life was defined by her unwavering faith, her tireless work ethic, and the profound connections she forged over eight decades.
Early Life & Education
- Birth & Heritage: Born on August 6, 1939, in Susanville, California, to Morris Loriane and Vera Payne Parsons.
- Formative Years: Raised in the scenic town of Glenwood, Utah, where she developed the resilience and community-focused values that would define her life.
- Education: Graduated from Richfield High School, building the educational foundation for her lifelong dedication to the central Utah region.
- Marriage & Family: On December 4, 1956, she married Vernon Willis Oldroyd in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, beginning a partnership that lasted until his passing on September 6, 2006. Together, they established their permanent family home in Lyman, Utah, where they raised their six children.
Career Zenith & Contributions
- Local Commerce Hub: For many years, Margaret served as a dedicated professional at the local grocery store, a role that positioned her at the very center of daily life and commerce in Wayne County.
- Interpersonal Expertise: She possessed a rare, encyclopedic knowledge of the community, knowing virtually every person in the county by name, history, and circumstance.
- Grassroots Philanthropy: Margaret was renowned for her quiet acts of service—whether rocking a sleeping child, cooking meals for neighbors in crisis, or offering her last dollar to those facing economic hardship.
- Community Anchor: Her warm, affectionate demeanor and benefit-of-the-doubt philosophy made her a trusted confidante and a unifying presence in local civic life.
Leadership & Affiliations
- Faith & Devotion: A faithful and active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
- Institutional Callings: Held numerous leadership and service callings throughout her life, guiding her congregation through steadfast faith, mentorship, and hours of dedicated nightly prayer.
- Matriarchal Leadership: Successfully managed a vast, multi-generational family network, raising six children who expanded her legacy across multiple states.
- Media Recognition: Her profound impact on the region was highlighted in recent features by regional and national outlets, including KSL News and National Today, which noted her as an irreplaceable fixture in Wayne County whose definition of family extended to the entire community.
Legacy & Impact
Margaret Oldroyd’s tragic passing on March 4, 2026, at the age of 86—the result of a senseless act of violence in her home during an attempted car theft—brought profound shock and grief to the tight-knit community of Lyman. Yet, the overwhelming turnout at her funeral at the Loa LDS Stake Center on March 20, 2026, underscored a powerful legacy of connection and service that remains unbroken.
- Surviving Family: She is survived by her six children: Debra Whitehead (Idaho Falls, ID), Sue Ann Westwood (Box Elder, SD), Steve Oldroyd (Orangeville, UT), Willis Oldroyd (Lyman, UT), Camille Behunin (Hurricane, UT), and Karl Oldroyd (Washington, UT).
- Generational Reach: Her enduring lineage includes 22 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
- Enduring Memory: She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents; her brother, Bill Parsons; her sister, Clara Lee VanDyke; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
- Final Resting Place: Laid to rest in the Lyman Cemetery under the care of Springer Turner Funeral Homes, Margaret leaves behind a legacy of selflessness. She will be remembered not just as a familiar face, but as the steady, silent force in the background who kept her community moving forward with love and grace.