Born Janice-Lee York in Palo Alto, California, she learned fencing at Max Reinhardt's Dramatic Workshop in Hollywood, California, a club managed by her father.

Though she never medaled at the Olympics, she was a finalist in women's individual foil in 1952 and 1956, finishing fourth both times: in 1952, she tied for third place, but lost to Denmark's Karen Lachmann on touches.

[3] She also won a silver and a bronze medal at the Pan American Games in 1963, and a gold in 1967.

[1] Romary was inducted into the United States Fencing Association Hall of Fame in the 1970s.

[4] After retiring from fencing, she moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, with her husband, where they ran a water purification business.