Heather McDonald Lawrence

Heather McDonald Lawrence passed away peacefully at home, beside her sweetheart, after a long and courageous battle with cancer on the beautiful early Sabbath morning of September 13, 2026. She was 59 years old.
Heather was born on January 6, 1967, in Murray, Utah to Richard Ralph McDonald and Lenis Davis.

She grew up in Murray as the oldest of five children. From a young age, Heather was fiercely independent. She lovingly cared for her younger siblings and enjoyed spending time with her nearby grandparents. She loved playing volleyball, baton twirling, playing the flute, bowling at her grandpa’s bowling alley, and skiing.
She studied business education at what was then Dixie State College and later at Utah State University. It was there she met the love of her life, during an Institute dance, at “The Golden Toaster.”
She married her sweetheart and best friend, William Joseph “Bill” Lawrence, in the Salt Lake City Temple, where they were sealed for time and all eternity on June 9, 1989. Together, they welcomed five children, blessing them with so much love and the happiest of childhoods. They moved around a little but ultimately chose to live in Grantsville, Utah, where they have spent the last 25 years.

Heather enjoyed raising her kids in Grantsville. She never missed anything her kids were involved in—sports, theater, piano recitals, PTA events, schooling, and more. She was an expert scrapbooker, decorator, cross-stitcher, volleyball player, puzzle enthusiast, reader, baker, crafter, seamstress, chef, listener, gardener, mom, and most of all—Grandma. Affectionately called Lala, she was always excited to spend time with her grandkids and particularly loved reading them story books. She attended every event of theirs that she possibly could. Her grandchildren know how deeply they are loved, and she cherished every moment she had with them.
Heather later spent her time teaching preschool, working for Grantsville City, and serving on Grantsville Sociable Committees where she was able to connect with others and make lifelong friendships. She also loved traveling with Bill and enjoyed the arts with him, when her health allowed.

Heather was an incredibly faithful life-long member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She found great joy in serving others and serving alongside people she loved in her various callings. She lives and she lived with extraordinary faith and love; she was an usher of miracles. She was a peacemaker and always reminded us to treat others with kindness. She left this world being tenderly cared for by her husband; an illustration of their love that will be an example for us, forever.

Heather is survived by her loving husband of 37 years, Bill; along with her children, Natalie (Richard) Peterson, Marissa (Brandon) Mickelson, Spencer (Danielle) Lawrence, Madison Lawrence, and McKay (Brianne) Lawrence; her 9 grandkids, Audrey, Will, Charlie, Halle, Grace, Ellie, Rosie, Kennedy, Henry, with another on the way.
She is also survived by her parents, Richard and Lenis McDonald; siblings, Marci (Jason) Schouten, Curt (Andrea) McDonald, Ann (Paul) White, Brooke (Jake) DeMann, and her nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her father and mother in-law, Charles and Sharol Lawrence, and her nephew, Michael Lawrence.

A Celebration of Life will be held on September 20, 2026, at 4 PM at the Grantsville Stake Center at 550 East Durfee Street. A brief visitation that day will take place from 2:30-3:30 PM. Interment will take place at Grantsville City North Cemetery on September 21, 2026, under the care of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home & Cremation Center.