Sammie Winona Oldroyd Obituary (1925

Sammie Winona Oldroyd, age 97, died peacefully on August 13, 2022, in Salt Lake City. Sammie was born on Independence Day, July 4, 1925, in Provo, Utah, to Byron D. Jones and Martha A. Ellertson Jones. Her parents later divorced, and Martha eventually married Eugene C. Speakman, who would always be Sammie’s “Daddy Gene.” Sammie grew up in Provo with older sister, Donna, and younger brother, Gene. She spent many happy times in Provo and on her grandparents’ farm in Mona, Utah. She graduated in 1943 from BYU High School, where she performed in numerous musical and theatrical events. She was also part of the cheerleading squad. Her loudest cheers were reserved for basketball team captain, James (Jim) Harold Oldroyd. The two of them married on September 12, 1944, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They lived in California during WWII, where first son, Mike, was born. After the war, they moved back to Utah, where sons Jerry and Todd were born. In 1962, the family moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, where Sammie helped Jim start and manage a new business which would eventually grow into a successful insurance agency. Sammie completed a Licensed Practical Nursing program, and enjoyed working as a nurse in Idaho Falls for several years. Sammie and Jim made close, lifelong friends, with whom they spent countless hours traveling, camping, skiing, boating, and playing bridge. The two of them also traveled extensively together, seeing the world and making more friends along the way. Sammie and Jim made wonderful memories for our family on trips to places that will forever live in our hearts: Island Park, Yellowstone, Grand Teton National Park, Bear Lake, Lake Powell, and the San Juan Islands. She was probably happiest when sitting in the back of their boat, with Jim, enjoying a Gulf Island sunset. Sammie lost Jim to cancer in 1991 and moved to Salt Lake City, where she was introduced to Owen Daniels Stayner. They married in September 1995, and enjoyed several wonderful years together, sharing time between Salt Lake City and St. George, Utah. Owen died in September 2009. Sammie filled her remaining years with attention to her children, grandchildren, and friends. She especially loved spending time with her best friend and “sister” of over 70 years, Donna Norton. She will be remembered for many things, including her always immaculate home, her impeccable appearance, and her unfailingly optimistic view of the future. She was always willing to listen and to offer advice to anyone who needed it, and always displayed true kindness toward everyone. Most importantly, she had an abiding love and appreciation for our family. Sammie is survived by her brother, Gene Speakman (Elaine) of Firth, ID; son, Michael Oldroyd of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Jerold Oldroyd (Laura) of Salt Lake City, UT; and son, Todd Oldroyd (Debra) of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by 6 amazing grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren. Sammie was preceded in death by her husbands, Jim Oldroyd and Owen Stayner; sister, Donna Moore; grandson, Brandon Oldroyd; and daughter in law, Tera Oldroyd. We would like to thank the management, staff, and residents of the Escalante at Coventry (formerly Wentworth at Coventry) Independent and Assisted Living facility for the thoughtful and compassionate attention shown to Sammie over the past years. In addition, we would like to thank the many different members of the University of Utah Health community who have taken care of Sammie, with a special thank you to the members of the University Medical Center’s Emergency Department and Palliative/Hospice Care teams. Family funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 18, 2022 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.