Margaret Olivas

On April 1, 1958, Margaret Olivas was born in The Bronx, New York, to Puerto Rican factory owners Jorge A. Ortiz and Carmen M. Piñeiro. They moved to Puerto Rico when she was 7 years old as she suffered from asthma.
Growing up as an only child, she was active and kind. Her parents and aunties showered her with dolls and she loved each one.  Her passion for books and reading stemmed from bedtime stories that she enjoyed so much.
Margaret was an intelligent and studious young lady. She loved music and the first instrument she tried playing was the accordion.  She sang beautifully in the church choir and would travel all around Puerto Rico sharing her talent.  After high school, she worked hard and studied in college.
Margaret was full of creativity and a true artist. She loved drawing and painting taking classes as much as she could and developed great skill.  Her creativity extended from beautiful homemade crafts to engineering shelves and reupholstering.
In her early 20’s Margaret had her first son, Eliakim Maldonado who was followed by her only daughter, Zurishaddai Garcia, and then another son, Jorge Valentin. Her children were her pride and joy.  Her joy was extended as she became a grandma to 11 grandchildren who she treasured and shared her amazing talents.
On May 4, 1993 she married her eternal sweetheart, Raul Olivas, a talented musician. She loved and cared for him with all her heart and strength.  In 2017 they celebrated 24 years together.
Margaret was a woman filled with love and compassion for all of Heavenly Father’s children. She was a woman of faith who sought to follow our Savior’s example.  When family, friends, neighbors, or complete strangers were in need, she tried to help in any way possible.
Service and love did not stop when she was diagnosed with colon cancer in August of 2016. She was a light to all around her as she positively and graciously fought the illness.  She never gave up her personal fortitude which she displayed all her life – searching for, as she always said, “the fifth leg on the cat” (a saying in Spanish).  She was a fighter and never gave up no matter how hard it got.
Sweet Margaret found relief and peace when she passed on August 18, 2017. She will be greatly missed by all who had the blessing to know and love her – especially her husband, mother, children, and grandchildren.
We will celebrate Margaret’s life beginning with a viewing on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 from 6pm-8pm at the McKenley Ward, 1883 S. West Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah. A second viewing will be held on Wednesday, August 23, 2017 from 9am-10:45am at the Chelmes Ward, 1245 S 1175 E in Clearfield, Utah. Funeral services will be held at 11 am immediately following the viewing. Interment to follow at Clearfield City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to provide a donation at Granite Credit Union in a memorial account that has been created under the name of Margaret Olivas.
Service Information
Viewing August 22, 2017 at 6:00 - 8:00 PM
McKenley Ward, 1883 South West Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84115





Viewing August 23, 2017 at 9:00 - 10:45 AM
Chelmes Ward, 1245 South 1175 East, Clearfield, UT 84015





Funeral Service
August 23, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Chelmes Ward, 1245 South 1175 East, Clearfield, UT 84015