- Artist JR Johansen created a portrait of Margaret Oldroyd and her husband, Vernon.
- The painting offered comfort to Oldroyd's family after her tragic death in Wayne County.
- Oldroyd's funeral is set for Friday in Loa with the portrait on display.
RICHFIELD — It has been a tough and emotional couple of weeks for the family of 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd.
But in their time of grief, they found a little comfort. Not in words, but on a canvas.
As the family gathered ahead of Oldroyd's funeral, they were given a painting of her and her husband, Vernon, who had passed away nearly 20 years ago. It was a deeply personal gift from an artist who knew them both.
For JR Johansen, this was not just another portrait.
"I wanted to do it because I knew them," said Johansen. "And just because of the event, it deeply wounded me, and I wanted to help bring comfort to the family."
Oldroyd was one of three women killed in Wayne County earlier this month. Investigators said she was shot inside her home in Lyman by a man who had come to steal her car.
Johansen, who lives in Huntsville, Weber County, but grew up near Lyman, said the loss felt personal.
As he worked on the painting, he said it was difficult to separate his emotions from his brushstrokes.
"I got really emotional painting her face because I knew her enough to know how good she was," he said with tears in his eyes.
When the portrait was presented to the family at Oldroyd's brother's home in Richfield Thursday, it became more than just a painting. It became a moment.
Morris Parsons, Oldroyd's younger brother, said seeing the image of Margaret and Vernon together again brought an immediate sense of recognition.
"Just looking at it, it just reminds you of Margaret (and) Vernon. Right to the day," he said. "So, it will be forever a keepsake for the whole family."
For Oldroyd's sister, Brenda Parsons, the meaning behind the painting went even deeper. She felt it meant more coming from a person who knew them.
"It's so meaningful that there's the personal connection, that he knew Vernon and he has met Margaret," she said. "I feel that comes through in the painting as well."
In the middle of overwhelming loss, the portrait offered something simple, but powerful. It was a reminder of who Margaret was.
Johansen said that was his hope all along.
"I wanted to somehow bring comfort to the family," he said.
Oldroyd's funeral will be held Friday in Loa, Wayne County.
The painting will be displayed at the church, where family and friends will gather to remember her life.
