Who is Miss Royce from Housekeeping and what is their importance?

Miss Royce is Lucille's Home Economics teacher and mentor. She is described as a solitary, high-strung woman, who yearns to make friends with her students. Miss Royce's devotion to her students has only ever brought her ridicule and cartoon drawings of her rabbity face. On one occasion, she is locked in a supply closet by mischievous boys. When Lucille runs through the night to take refuge from the increasing chaos of Sylvie's life, Miss Royce is so moved that Lucille is seeking her help that she offers her the spare room and, in effect, adopts her.