Two must have become a meaningful number for Marsha Vawdrey. After all, the longtime Draper resident has been chosen for the Draper City Council twice, elected twice for four-year terms, and in an unusual set of circumstances, she’s retired twice from the council. Her most recent retirement happened in December.

Marsha Vawdrey (center) was presented with flowers at her final Draper City Council meeting in December. She originally retired from the council in December 2023, but when the city needed someone to fill an interim position left vacant by Cal Roberts’ election to the Legislature, Vawdrey was once again chosen to serve. “It’s been my honor,” Vawdrey said. (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

Vawdrey was chosen for her first two-year term on the council in 2014 when Troy Walker vacated his council position after being elected mayor. She was one of about 18 people who interviewed for the position (following state election code) and she came out the winner. She was re-elected twice and served on the council for 10 years before first retiring in December 2023 to join her husband in retirement. Prior to her time on the council, she served on the Planning Commission.

At the time of her first retirement, Walker said, “All the years I’ve known you, you’ve been fantastic…always prepared, you’ve given your heart and soul to the community…and tremendous time.”

But that wasn’t the end of her service. Another vacancy occurred on the council when Cal Roberts was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2024. Per state code procedure, the city advertised the vacancy and Vawdrey decided to put her name in the hat. Forty individuals interviewed in November 2024. One of the applicants was Angie Quinlan who said she was honored to be considered against Vawdrey whose fame in Draper was akin to that of Taylor Swift. Once again, Vawdrey came out the winner. The mayor and councilmembers explained they felt most comfortable choosing her because she was well-versed in city history and procedures and she could hit the ground running. “There’s no learning curve with Marsha…she understands what we’re trying to do with smart growth and regulatory constraints…I think it will be the right decision for this short period of time and then we’ll let the community decide going forward,” Councilmember Mike Green said at the time.

Longtime Councilmember Marsha Vawdrey visits with a friend after attending the 2026 oath of office ceremony in support of recently elected city councilmembers. Vawdrey said in the past, “When you take that oath of office, it reminds you that beyond doing the business of Draper City, you are taking on the solemn responsibility to uphold the constitution of our state and country. It gives one pause.” (Mimi Darley Dutton/City Journals)

This time it seems as if it’s final. Once again, Walker publicly thanked Vawdrey at the conclusion of the Dec. 16 council meeting. “This is Marsha Vawdrey’s really, really last council meeting. I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to Marsha for her many years of service to this community including helping establish the historic park, preserving Corner Canyon, running the rodeo and Draper Days…you were going into the sunset but we drug you back and it created a great situation for us to have a person that already had training. You’re one of my dearest friends, and I’ve enjoyed serving with you,” Walker said.

“It’s been my honor,” Vawdrey said. 

In an interview at the time of her first retirement, Vawdrey especially encouraged women to get involved in their communities. “I think there’s a special place for women because we have a different perspective. I’ve seen that, and it really takes all of us. I love to see people do it for the right reason, because you care about the community. Step up and make a difference,” she said.

As of Jan. 5, another woman has joined the council. Recently elected Councilmember Kathryn Dahlin will fill the two-year term left vacant after Roberts’ and Vawdrey’s departures.