Mary Lou Royle

Mary Lou Royle was born September 27, 1946, in American Fork, Utah to Helen Mary Henrichsen Wells and Lewis Franklin Wells. The second of nine children, Mary Lou grew up in Pleasant Grove, Utah with a brief move to Casper, Wyoming in 1955. The family relocated to Holladay, Utah, where Mary Lou attended Olympus High School. Upon graduation in 1964, she attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.

It was while attending BYU, that Mary Lou met and fell in love with Kenneth Mack Royle. The couple married in the Salt Lake City, Utah LDS temple. Soon after, they moved to San Francisco, California, where Ken attended the California College of Podiatric Medicine. After several years of practicing podiatry in Fresno, California, Ken returned for additional education and spent the next nine years in medical school and residency. His specialty training was obstetrics and gynecology. Mary Lou selflessly supported her husband during this time.

Mary Lou had an extraordinary ability to love and care deeply for others. She was extremely compassionate and spent much of her time serving and tending to others. She was a devout member of her Church and had a deep testimony of her Savior, Jesus Christ. She served and taught the members of her congregation with passion and love. Mary Lou had a strong belief in prayer, hope and faith.

Extremely talented and creative, Mary Lou had a knack for crafting. She enjoyed making handmade cards and gifts. For many years she mastered the skill of making porcelain dolls with her own molds and kiln firing.

While living in Maryland, Mary Lou grew to love the American Civil War era and became an expert historian. She had an excellent memory and was a vivid storyteller. She also loved genealogy and keeping family history.

One of her favorite pastimes was collecting antiques from all over the world. Mary Lou was an adventurous world traveler who visited dozens of countries across the globe.

Ken’s profession allowed the couple to live in Maui, Hawaii. This was a special time for Mary Lou and shaped many aspects of her life, even being called Tutu (grandmother) by her grandchildren.

Mary Lou’s greatest love in life was her family. Her husband, her three boys, her grandchildren and her siblings brought her the most joy and she loved spending as much time as possible with them.

Mary Lou is survived by her husband of 59 years, Kenneth Mack, her sons, Matthew Todd (Jennifer Edwards), Brian Lamar (Julianne Wallace), Bret Andrew (Karin Hom), and her grandchildren Max and Sam (Brian and Julie) and her step-grandchildren Isabel and Jackson (Todd and Jennifer). She is survived by her siblings, Lorna Rice (Carl James), Lewis Franklin Wells, Jr. (Kimberli Giauque), Ann Anderson (Stuart, deceased), John (Joelyn Rowen), Paul (Jone Storey), Steven (Patricia Hunsaker), Janette Lewis (David), and in-laws, Camille Clausen, Stephanie Richardson, Jim Royle, and Howard Royle. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mary Lou’s brother, LaMar, died in 1973.

Mary Lou passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family, on Friday, July 25, 2025, in Clovis, California. She was 78 years old.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, please consider giving a donation to the American Cancer Society in Mary Lou’s memory.

Her celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 10:00 am at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (220 N Peach Ave) in Clovis, California, with a reception to follow.

A Graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 11:00 am at the Memorial Holladay Cemetery (4900 S Memory Ln) in Holladay, Utah, with a reception to follow.

Below is the link for live streaming for family and friends who are unable to physically attend the services on August 2nd.

https://zoom.us/j/98999498273