Florence Royal
Florence Taylor Royal was born in Hermon, Maine, on January 7, 1886, the only child of J. Mellon and Mary Taylor. Growing up in rural Maine she loved learning and took a ferry to attend school on one of the coastal islands of Maine. She had a particular love of figures and mathematics. When she entered the University of Maine her advisor told her to be sensible and major in something useful like home economics, but she persisted receiving her degree in mathematics. She met and married Harold M. Royal, a fellow mathematics major in 1911.
Florence taught in a one-room school in Maine, in New York and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where Harold was a professor and Florence taught at the high school. Harold Royal became ill and Florence substituted for him at the Michigan College of Mines until his death at the age of 35. Florence and Harold Royal had no children.
Florence taught briefly in the Boston area and accepted a position teaching advanced mathematics at Branford High School in January 1926, filling a position left vacant by another female teacher. She taught one year at Laurel Street moving to the new high school in 1928 (now Sliney School). Branford continued a long tradition of having capable female mathematics teachers at the high school throughout the 20th century. She was also a guidance counselor.
In the classroom she was firm yet consistent and fair and liked everything in its place. She was always encouraging, calm and highly respected by her students. She tutored many students in math showing great patience by allowing the students to reach their potential yet interrupting at just the right time to be helpful. Her students always remembered her and she always remembered them. Florence Royal is remembered as being tall and stately with graceful hands and a lovely smile. She accepted people for who they were. The high school yearbook "The Milestone" was twice dedicated to Florence Royal, in 1937 and in 1947 with Miss Maple Percival. "It is with sincere affection that we dedicate our class book to Mrs. Florence T. Royal. It is a small token of our appreciation for her help and guidance throughout our years in Branford High."
While at Branford she was a member of the Eastern Star, the First Congregational Church in Branford, the Half Hour Reading Club and was a Red Cross volunteer. She often attended services at other churches and traveled extensively to broaden her horizons and was throughout her life always learning. She was also a member of the International Graphoanalysis Society, the study of handwriting analysis attaining master status. She was a person that did everything well.
Florence Royal was a mentor to several younger female teachers providing guidance and encouragement for them both professionally and personally. She was a wonderful traveling companion, tireless in her love of learning. She had a no nonsense approach to life but also had a good sense of humor and knew how to balance professional life and having fun.
Florence T. Royal retired from Branford High School in 1956 and led an active life in the community and traveling until the age of 90. She moved to Colorado at that time to be near relatives. Florence Taylor Royal died in Brush, Colorado, April 1, 1994, at the age of 108 and is buried in Hodgdon, Maine. At the time of her death she was the oldest alumna of the University of Maine.
Florence taught in a one-room school in Maine, in New York and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where Harold was a professor and Florence taught at the high school. Harold Royal became ill and Florence substituted for him at the Michigan College of Mines until his death at the age of 35. Florence and Harold Royal had no children.
Florence taught briefly in the Boston area and accepted a position teaching advanced mathematics at Branford High School in January 1926, filling a position left vacant by another female teacher. She taught one year at Laurel Street moving to the new high school in 1928 (now Sliney School). Branford continued a long tradition of having capable female mathematics teachers at the high school throughout the 20th century. She was also a guidance counselor.
In the classroom she was firm yet consistent and fair and liked everything in its place. She was always encouraging, calm and highly respected by her students. She tutored many students in math showing great patience by allowing the students to reach their potential yet interrupting at just the right time to be helpful. Her students always remembered her and she always remembered them. Florence Royal is remembered as being tall and stately with graceful hands and a lovely smile. She accepted people for who they were. The high school yearbook "The Milestone" was twice dedicated to Florence Royal, in 1937 and in 1947 with Miss Maple Percival. "It is with sincere affection that we dedicate our class book to Mrs. Florence T. Royal. It is a small token of our appreciation for her help and guidance throughout our years in Branford High."
While at Branford she was a member of the Eastern Star, the First Congregational Church in Branford, the Half Hour Reading Club and was a Red Cross volunteer. She often attended services at other churches and traveled extensively to broaden her horizons and was throughout her life always learning. She was also a member of the International Graphoanalysis Society, the study of handwriting analysis attaining master status. She was a person that did everything well.
Florence Royal was a mentor to several younger female teachers providing guidance and encouragement for them both professionally and personally. She was a wonderful traveling companion, tireless in her love of learning. She had a no nonsense approach to life but also had a good sense of humor and knew how to balance professional life and having fun.
Florence T. Royal retired from Branford High School in 1956 and led an active life in the community and traveling until the age of 90. She moved to Colorado at that time to be near relatives. Florence Taylor Royal died in Brush, Colorado, April 1, 1994, at the age of 108 and is buried in Hodgdon, Maine. At the time of her death she was the oldest alumna of the University of Maine.