Margaret Vargas

Margaret Anthony “Maggie” Vargas, a longtime resident of Dewey, Oklahoma, went home to Heaven on March 31, 2023, at age 90.

Maggie was born to Manuel and Mary (Ruiz) Miranda on October 17th, 1932, in Coffeyville, Kansas. As a child, she spent her days surrounded by cousins and family members which were her fondest memories. She was a proud Golden Tornado and graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School in 1951 and went on to earn her associate degree at Coffeyville Community College.

Maggie met her husband, Antonino “Tony” Vargas, of Dewey, OK, through her cousin. They married in 1954 and went on to have three children, Kathy, Ray, and Michael. They resided in Bartlesville, OK, until 1966 when they moved their family to Dewey, Oklahoma. She started her career with Phillips 66 Petroleum in 1967 and was a loyal and dedicated employee until her retirement.

Maggie devoted her life to God, family, and friends. She cherished holidays and family gatherings at her house where she would lavishly decorate for the seasons, especially Christmas, which was her favorite. Maggie would attend all her grandkids’ events, often being the loudest cheerleader. She loved to document her family interactions with her favorite polaroid camera.

In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother and Abuelita, Maggie also loved being of service for her church, Our Lady of Guadalupe. She served many years on the Altar Society. She was actively involved in the Al-Anon program including her contribution to establishing an Al-Anon program in Dewey where she provided resources on how to help families of alcoholics. She and her husband would often team up to help those dealing with alcoholism and their family members. She also served many years as a Dewey Library board member. Maggie was a member of the Red Hat Society and was known for her beautiful and bold sense of style.

Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God which she shared with those she encountered. Maggie had a way of making friends wherever she went. She often started her interactions asking how you were doing in a manner that made people feel they could share what was on their minds. She truly cared for her fellow man.

In her final moments, as she most often was in life, she was surrounded by her loving family. Maggie joins her husband, Tony Vargas, parents, and Manuel and Mary Miranda in Heaven. She is survived by her brother John Miranda of Colorado, Judy McCarthy of Arizona, and Martha and Leon Taylor of Oregon; her daughter Kathy Vargas of Stillwater OK; son Ray and wife Mary Vargas and son Mike Vargas of Dewey OK; 10 grandkids, 15 great grandkids (with one on the way), and countless friends and family.

Maggie’s rosary will be on April 4th at 7:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Dewey with Catholic Mass and Funeral to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe, on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023. She will be laid to rest at Dewey Cemetery.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference.”