Barbara Royle

Barbara Jean Peterson Royle died on December 17, 2021, peacefully at home. Barbara was born on June 2, 1942 in West Union, Iowa to Mary and Raymond Stewart. She is survived by her daughter, Melanie Peterson, and her sister, Katherine Louise Stewart, and many in-laws, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Keith Peterson.

Barbara’s formative years were spent in Bloomington, Minnesota where she grew up with a wide circle of friends. Among the many varied activities during her youth, she joined Girl Scouts, studied piano, and sang in the Bloomington High School choir. After graduating from high school and before attending Monmouth College, Barbara was crowned Miss Bloomington in the city’s Aquatennial celebration.

Barbara earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. While a student at Hamline, Barbara met her future husband, Keith Peterson, and they were married on June 26, 1965. Shortly after their marriage, Keith was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska where their daughter Melanie was born. Later, the family moved to St. Louis, Missouri, and Richardson, Texas.

The family settled in Crystal Lake, Illinois where Keith worked in sales, and Barbara began her service in Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church as an elder, then progressed to working for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. raising funds for overseas mission with the Major Mission Fund. Her work in the Presbytery found her traveling throughout Illinois and stretching her comfort zone doing public speaking and making informational videos.

In June of 1994, Barbara obtained a Masters Degree in Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary and was ordained that same year. She and Keith moved to Arvada, Colorado in 1995. There she found a professional calling as chaplain at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver, Colorado, ministering to patients and becoming involved in the world of healthcare. During this time, Barbara also served as a women’s prison chaplain.

Moving on to new challenges, Barbara’s ministry continued as assistant pastor for two churches: Church of the Hills Presbyterian in Evergreen, Colorado, and Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church in Arvada, Colorado until her retirement in 2012.

Throughout her life, Barbara embraced her varied interests through hiking, cycling, tackling many of Colorado’s “14ers”, playing her cello, and traveling. Her journeys found her in Christian heritage sites in Israel, as well as Egypt, Syria, France, England, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand.

Those who knew Barbara will remember her intelligence, her willingness to challenge herself, her ready and easy humor, the joy she felt in God’s creation, her love of Fine Arts, the help she gave to many in their walks of faith, and her strong devotion to family and friends. She will be greatly missed.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, January 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 3737 New Hope Way, Castle Rock, Colorado, 80109.

Memorial contributions in Barbara’s name can be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church or to the charity of one’s choice.