Thursday, October 1, 2026
Donna Jane Roylance, 84, passed away in Olympia, on Aug. 26, 2024. She was born in August of 1940 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, to Jocelyn (Joss) and Mary Rutty. During high school, at Westdale High, she joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on a part-time basis until graduation.
She started in nursing at St. Joseph's Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, but after a year in nursing, she decided to change her vocation. Donna then became a Certified Dental Assistant, and for seven years, worked for Dr. Irwin Fluss.
In 1969, she followed her sense of adventure and moved to Grand Bahama Island to work at a Dental/Medical facility and then later moved to Orlando, Florida, and taught dental subjects at Southern College. During a two-year sabbatical, she moved to London, Ontario, Canada and taught at Fanshawe College.
Upon returning to Orlando, Donna taught again at Southern College, attending the University of Central Florida to work on a vocational teaching degree. In 1980, she met William Roylance, and they married in three months. His work as an administrative law judge made it possible for them to live in Florence, Alabama, and then Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
When it came time for William to retire, they took a leap of faith and moved to Olympia, where they operated their own law practice that focused on Social Security disability cases. After he died in 2002, Donna stayed in Olympia and kept their hobby farm as well.
Unexpectedly, Donna met William Swartz in 2004; they started a 20-year engagement.
Her many rescued pets were also of prime importance in her life. Donna's daily joy was taking her dogs to Talisman farm. She never met a critter she didn't like!
Donna was predeceased by her parents and her only sibling, Michael Rutty. She is survived by a stepson, Mike Roylance (Amanda), and their three daughters, a niece, Kathleen Fey (and family), nephew Patrick Rutty (and family), Wynne and Gary Christie and family, many dear cousins in Canada, and girlfriends wherever she lived.
A private celebration of her life was held Oct. 8, 2024 in Olympia.
Memorials may be made to Thurston County Animal Services, 3120 Martin Way E., Olympia, WA 98506.
