PUD Announces 2009 My Fair Lady Court

June 19, 2009

Columbia River PUD has announced the members of the 2009 My Fair Lady Court.

The My Fair Lady pageant, held during the Columbia County Fair, recognizes senior women for their outstanding service in our community. The PUD organizes the pageant each year in conjunction with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program and Columbia River Fire & Rescue.

The 2009 My Fair Lady Court.  Front Row: Patricia Ray of Vernonia, Eila Kynsi of Clatskanie; Back Row: Rowena Tetz of Scappoose, Wanda Yost of Rainier, Sally Norbom of Columbia City.

Eila Kynsi - Clatskanie

Eila Kynsi was born and raised in Helsinki, Finland.  Eila’s aunt lived in Clatskanie, and in 1958 she came to visit and met her future husband, Pete.  They made their home in Clatskanie and have two children, 5 grandchildren and one great grandchild. Elia worked both as a pharmacist and for a construction company. She belongs to Kalevan Naiset, a Finnish club in Astoria, and to the Clatskanie Senior Center.  Her hobbies include traveling and reading.  Eila loves living in Clatskanie and says she would not want to move to the big city. Eila was nominated by Clatskanie Senior Center.

Patricia Ray - Vernonia

Patricia Ray was born in Hillsboro and raised in Vernonia.  She is widowed and has five children, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She worked at US Bank for 37 years, serving as a bookkeeper, teller and manager.  She is treasurer of the Vernonia Senior Center, a Red Cross Volunteer and a member of the Golden Oldies Band. Her hobbies include quilting, piano, playing cards, traveling and singing. Pat was nominated by the Vernonia Senior Center, who says the community is a better place because of her service.

Rowena Tetz – Scappoose

Rowena Tetz was born in Bandon and raised on her grandmother’s farm in Grants Pass, along with six of her uncles and three brothers.  She moved to Columbia County in 1943.  She is widowed and has 3 children, 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  She was a dairyman’s wife for 40 years and beautician for 55 years, but her most important job has always been being a Mother.  She is a member of the Scappoose Senior Center and Grace Lutheran Church and serves on the Scappoose Fairview Cemetery board.  Her hobbies include gardening and quilting, and she enjoys attending events at the senior center. Rowena was nominated by the Scappoose Senior Center.

Sally Norbom – St. Helens

Sally Norbom was born and raised in Oil City, Pennsylvania.  She moved to Columbia County in 1995.  She is married and has two children and one grandchild.  Sally worked as a registered nurse until she was married; her husband was in the Navy for 20 years and they changed duty stations every two years during that time.  Sally spent many hours volunteering in schools and helping other military families.  She is an RSVP Board Member, a Healthy Start Board Member and Secretary for the Domestic Violence Council.  Sally was nominated by Diane Dillard.

Wanda Yost – Rainier

Wanda was born in Garnett, Kansas and raised in Kansas and Nebraska.  She is widowed and has three sons, one grandson and one great grandson.  She held several jobs in the insurance and banking industries in the Portland area.  Wanda is a volunteer for the Rainier Senior Center, where she enjoys serving people and lending an ear to others who need to talk.  She is also a former extension club member.  Her hobbies include furniture refinishing and decorating. Wanda was nominated by the Rainier Senior Center.

Free Transportation on Senior Day

Columbia River Rider is providing free round-trip transportation for seniors to the fair on Wednesday.  Rides will be provided from the senior centers in Vernonia, Clatskanie, St. Helens, Scappoose and Rainier.  Contact the senior centers for more information.  The free rides are sponsored by Clatskanie People’s Utility District, Columbia River People’s Utility District and West Oregon Electric Cooperative.