Geraldine (Ellis) Roy

Oct 18, 1918 - Sep 3, 1965

MRS. ROY, 46, DIES OF ILLNESS

Ex-Resident, U.S.O. Star, and Shop Owner

Mrs. Geraldine Ellis Roy, 46, former owner of Royal Hawaiian Jewelers, died Friday in Wesley Memorial Hospital, Chicago, after a lengthy illness. At the time of her death, she was living in Chicago, but maintained a home at 2805 Marine St., South Bend, and Phoenix, Ariz.

During World War II, Mrs. Roy and her Royal Hawaiian all-girl orchestra entertained servicemen as members of U.S.O. units. In 1944 she and her group were invited to appear at the annual convention of the American Guild of Guitarists in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Music, Dance Teacher: She opened the Royal Hawaiian studios and gift shop, 118 W. Colfax Ave., in the 1940s. While operating the shop and entertaining for the U.S.O., she a also taught music and dancing at her studio. 

Mrs. Roy studied the music and arts of Hawaii under the late Samuel B. Kali, a Hawaiian native. In 1951 she opened the Royal Hawaiian Jewelers at 125 N. Michigan St., which specialized in imported items. She traveled widely, selecting most of the items herself from foreign countries. The local store suspended operations in February, 1964, but Mrs. Roy continued with the import business; she owned and operated the Jewel Case in Chicago and the Royal Parisienne in Phoenix. Many of the items for sale were designed by her.

Central Graduate: She was born Oct.18, 1918, in South Bend and graduated from Central High School. She attended St. Mary's College. While here Mrs. Roy was active in hospital and symphony fund raising activities. She was member of St. Matthew's Cathedral. Surviving are her mother, Mrs. Helen Matthews of Phoenix. and two sons, Raymond T, of Chicago, and Kevin Kamon Roy, of Phoenix.

Friends may call after 7 p.m. Sunday at the Orvis Funeral Home. Services will be held Tuesday in Sacred Heart Catholic Church on the campus of the University of Notre Dame

Sources: Ancestry.com, Legacy.com and FindAGrave.com

11/07/2025 EJS

https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60525/records/113684885