Edith Mary Royse

Edith Mary Royse passed away at her residence in Golden, Colorado, on January 17, 2026, at the age of 95. She was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Frank Royse Jr., who passed away about one month earlier, on December 7, 2025.

Edith Mary McAlister was born on April 19, 1930, to Thomas McAlister and Elizabeth (Brownlee) McAlister in Manhattan, New York. She spent her early years living with her parents in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Upper Manhattan. In 1939, Edith's family relocated to Little Neck, Long Island, where she completed her high school education. Following graduation, Edith, widely known as Edie, enrolled at Columbia University and earned her nursing degree in 1953.

Edie began her nursing career in the New York metropolitan area. Seeking further advancement, she moved to the Washington, D.C. area to continue her education at the University of Virginia. On the recommendation of one of her professors, Edie secured a position with the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. She remained there until she met and married her husband, Frank.

During that time Frank Royse Jr. was on active duty in the US Army. While on leave in Washington, D.C., Edie and Frank were introduced through a mutual friend. They married on October 29, 1955, in Little Neck, New York. Their first child, Sue, was born in New York while Frank was still on active duty in Greenland. He was discharged shortly after Sue's birth, and the family moved to Laramie, Wyoming, where Frank completed a master's degree in Geology. During their time in Wyoming, Edie and Frank welcomed two more children, Ellen and Donald.

They lived in Casper, Wyoming for four years, and in 1961 the family relocated to Arvada, Colorado, where they spent the next forty years.

Edie's hobbies included playing bridge, which Frank had originally taught her. She was also very talented at crocheting, beadwork, and other crafts. After retirement, Frank and Edie spent time traveling in the USA and abroad. They also cherished time with their children and grandchildren. After several years in Arvada, they moved to Oro Valley, Arizona in 2002, initially as "snowbirds" and eventually moved there permanently in 2012. Frank and Edie enjoyed their retirement years in Oro Valley and made many lifelong friends. Edie worked in the gift shop for several years and sold many of her intricate beadwork pieces. She also discovered Mahjong when she took a class with one of her dear friends and became an avid player. Her Mahjong group was an important part of her social life, and they enjoyed each other's company for many years.

In 2024 they moved back to Colorado, living at the Golden Pond Assisted Living Community in Golden. They stayed close to their daughters, Sue and Ellen, grandsons Joe and Ben and their wives, and particularly enjoyed spending time with their great-grandsons, Joe, Finnian, Lochlan, and new baby Tadhgan.

Edie is survived by her daughters Susan Royse and Ellen Rohret (Matt), grandchildren Joe Rohret (Renee) and Ben Rohret-Navin (Genevieve). She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren Joe Rohret, Finnian, Lochlan, and Tadhgan Rohret-Navin. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Frank, her son Donald, and her granddaughter Katrina Rohret.