Margaret G. Holroyd

August 30, 2020

Margaret Gillespie Holroyd, age 100, a long time Charlottean, died Sunday August 30, 2020. Born August 27, 1920 in Pickens, SC, she was the youngest child of Anna Stokes and Dr. Leo Darby Gillespie. 

Margaret graduated from Columbia College and completed a graduate program in Medical Technology at Emory University. In October 1943, she married Robert Emory Holroyd, Jr. which began a loving sixty-four year marriage until his death in 2008. After being posted to numerous locations during World War II, they settled in Charlotte in 1950 where he became an architect and she taught Science at Sedgefield Middle School for seventeen years. As a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church, Margaret was active in the Women of Church.

Margaret is predeceased by her son-in-law, Eric Drumm, and survived by daughters, Janet Drumm and Peggy Brown and her husband, Steve, as well as three grandchildren, Nick Dimling and his wife, Anna Grace, Joe Drumm and his wife, Megan, Rebecca Widener and her husband, Daniel and six great-grandchildren. The family extends a special thanks to her dear friend, Martie Stewart.

She will be remembered for her determined spirit and sound advice which was tempered by her faith, her respect for education, and her hope for the future.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 East Morehead St. Charlotte, NC 28204 or Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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  • Mary Ann Allison

    Janet and Peggy, Your Mom was such a sweet, curious and kind person. She was a wonderful friend and dining companion of our Mom for sooo many years. She had a sparkle in her eye and was a joy to be with. We will miss her so much.

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  • Angela Bordeaux

    Hello, I remember Mrs. Holroyd and her family so well. My mother and daddy and sister lived 3 houses down from the Holroyd's. The street that we lived on was a circle and we would ride our bicycles down the street and around the circle. Janet is my age, so we played together, My sister, Theresa is Peggy's age. I can remember that there were times when Theresa and Peggy did not want their little sisters tagging along. The Holroyd family were wonderful people. I am sure that my mother, Zelah and Mrs. Holroyd are playing bridge and canasta in heaven. Janet and Peggy, I will pray for you and your Mom. We love you, Angela Stanton Bordeaux

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  • Hart Hutchison

    Janet, so sorry to hear about your mother. We, the Sedgefield class of 65, were honored when she agreed to attend our first reunion in the spring of 2011. Damon Hearne posted some photos on our fb page - The Sedgefield Connection. 100 years Wow! Quite a lady!

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  • Sybil Fowler Havner

    Janet, sending prayers for you and your family. I remember your Mom so fondly. She was so kind and such an encourager. My Mom passed away this year at 94. We were blessed to have them this long.
    Sybil Fowler Havner

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  • Kathy Repko

    My condolences to Margaret’s family. I remember her so fondly. She and I worked together at Sedgefield. I was new to Charlotte, and she was so kind and helpful to me. I am filled with loving memories of her. May your memories sustain you.

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  • Sherry Lambert Hunter

    So sorry for your loss. Fond memories of being neighbors growing up. Poochie, Blackie, hide & seek and Cabbage & Kings.

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  • Sue Howell Davis

    What a wonderful lady! I don’t know what my sister and I would have done without her help. Mom lived just across the hall from Margaret. They developed a special relationship, especially after our father, Jim Howell, passed away almost 3 years ago. Margaret assisted Mom with anything “ readable” since Mom’s eyesight is so impaired. She was a loyal friend, always dispensing sound advice when needed. I spent a lot more time on the 8th floor after Dad died. Since I live in Cary, I would come and spend 2 nights with Mom, usually each month or every 6 weeks. Each visit I would chat with Margaret in the hallway - she was always impeccably dressed, hair and jewelry perfect. So by spending quality time with my mother, I also deepened my friendship with Margaret. I’ll never forget her bright cheery face on Saturday August 15, when my sister Sally and I had the one day to deal with the emptying of Mom’s apartment. She would check in on us periodically. Mom is now in assisted living. She so misses her apartment and her hall soulmate Margaret.

    Thank you for sharing your mother with us all of these years. Good memories always, Sue Howell Davis, Sally Howell Stout and Dot Howell.

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  • Sally Stout

    Your sweet mom was my mother’s neighbor at Sharon Towers. She was a wonderful friend to my mother. When my mom’s eyesight began to fail Margaret became her eyes. The two of them became such good “across the hall” friends. I know how much my mother appreciated her during all the covid restrictions. I will certainly miss her cheery disposition whenever we are able to visit at Sharon Towers again. I am truly sorry for your loss. We lost a lovely lady.

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  • David Jones

    Prayers and deepest sympathies. You and your families have been blessed with many memories.

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  • Theresa Turk

    Dear Peggy and Janet,
    I was heart broken to hear about the passing of your wonderful Mom. Her birthday and Mother's birthday were days apart and she had been on mind.
    Your Mom was such a big part of my life growing up on Guilford and she will always be remembered with love.
    Deepest sympathy to the whole family.
    Love you.

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