Woman of the Year

By Editor | May 22, 2014 |

For 25 years, Marion Shroyer has worked behind the scenes in the Vandalia Soroptimist Club. Though she’s worked on virtually every committee and served as club president more than once, she’s never sought the limelight.
Recently, it found her.

While attending the Soroptimist district conference, held in late April in Amarillo, Texas, she was shocked to hear her name called as the winner of the Lou Kirby Woman of the Year award for a seven-state region.
“I turned as red as a beet and cried when my name was announced,” Shroyer said. “I don’t like to be put out front; I like it better behind the scenes.”
It’s her penchant for staying out of the spotlight that has made her a valuable member of the club. She serves on several committees: beautification (the downtown flower pots), charitable donations, memorial scholarships and the awards banquet. All those committees have a common goal of benefitting others in the community. And that’s right down Shroyer’s alley.
“We get to honor people that have done so much for the community,” she said. “We’re all working together to better the lives of women and girls. It’s a wonderful feeling to help people. I especially like helping them get an education so that they can better their lives.”
Though she’s now retired, Shroyer sold real estate for about 25 years. She and her husband, Phil, have been married 61 years. They have two children, Randy (of Vandalia) and Deborah (of Sarasota, Fla.), six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Shroyer lists her priorities as her family, her church and Soroptimist, but she also volunteers at Fayette County Hospital and at a local food pantry.
Despite her many activities to serve others, Shroyer still isn't comfortable being in the spotlight.
“I’m just very humbled by the whole thing,” she said.