PUD Announces 2010 My Fair Lady Court

June 18, 2010

Columbia River PUD has announced the members of the 2010 My Fair Lady Court.

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

Front Row, from left: Marcia Powers and Margie Clark
Back Row, from left: Rosie McCoym Marvel Brown and Helen Simmons

Marvel Brown, St. Helens

Marvel was born in St. Helens in 1935 and has lived here for all but five years of her life.  She is married and raised 9 children.  She also has 23 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.  She has held several jobs, including working for Cooper Auto Parts, Rofinot Mobile, Boise Veneer and the Oregon Women’s Bowling Association.  Marvel volunteers for many organizations, including the St. Helens Senior Center, St. Frederick’s Catholic Church, the St. Helens Bowling Association, St. Helens Yacht Club, and St. Helens Women of the Moose.   She treasures family gatherings most of all, especially the annual family camping trip to Cougar, Washington, which is attended by 60 people.  Marvel’s other hobbies include bowling, volunteering and playing pinochle.  She was inducted into the St. Helens Womens’ Bowling Hall of Fame in 1985. Marvel was nominated by Leslie Heimuller.

Margie Clark, Rainier

Margie Clark was born & raised in Rainier, OR.   She has lived in Columbia County for 80 of her 81 years.  She was married at 16 and moved with her husband to Alabama to spend a year work on his father’s farm.  Margie is widowed and has two children and three grandchildren.  She worked as a clerk at Wilby’s Department Store, Coldwell’s Pharmacy, the Bon Marche and Macy’s.   Margie volunteers for the Rainier Senior Center, the Rainier Garden Club, VFW Auxiliary Post 1909, the Rainier Church of God, Friends of St. Johns Hospital, and the Grandmother’s Bowling League.   Her hobbies include needlework, traveling, bowling, and volunteering.  She enjoys playing and watching golf, and says if she could be an Olympic athlete, she would be a figure skater because they are so talented and beautiful.  Margie was nominated by Liz Sandahl.

Rosie McCoy, Vernonia

Rosie McCoy was born and raised in Vernonia, Oregon, and has also lived in Louisiana, Washington and Texas.  She has 3 children, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.   She has held many jobs over the year, including working in a greenhouse, as head housekeeper at a motel, as a caregiver, and as a school custodian.  She has volunteered for Vernonia Cares Food Bank since 2005 and for the Vernonia Senior Center since 2001.  She currently serves as president of the Vernonia Senior Center. Rosie is known as a selfless volunteer who is willing to help anyone in need.  Her hobbies include painting, sewing, crafts, flowers, and gardening. In her spare time, Rosie enjoys many different games, including card games and cribbage.  She was nominated by the Vernonia Senior Center.

Marcia Powers, Clatskanie

Marcia was born in 1940 in Attleboro, Massachusetts and raised in Renton, Washington.  She moved to Oregon in 2000 and to Clatskanie in 2007.  She is widowed and has 3 children and 7 grandchildren.   Marcia spent 20 years raising her children, then 20 years as a factory worker and 4 years as the owner of a collectibles shop.  She volunteers at Turning Point in Clatskanie and as a Service Representative for a 12-step program.  Marcia loves sports. One of her most treasured memories is serving as an alternate on the 1956 Olympic team as a sprinter, at 16 years of age. She is the fourth generation in her family to participate in collegiate track & field.  Her favorite teams are the Seattle Seahawks and the Oregon Ducks.  Marcia was nominated by Sandy Davis.

Helen Simmons, Scappoose

Helen Simmons was born and raised in Missouri and moved to Columbia County 35 years ago.  She married her grade school sweetheart; they had 55 years together before he passed away 10 years ago.  Helen has 4 children, 5 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren.  She also has an “adopted” family in Vietnam, with two adopted grandchildren.  Helen has held several jobs, including 15 years at the candle factory in Scappoose and a stint as a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II.  She has been a volunteer at Scappoose Senior Center since 2005, where she is well known for her friendly personality and her willingness to pitch in wherever needed.  Her hobbies including volunteering, quilting, knitting, dancing and spending time with her family, and she also follows NASCAR racing.   Helen was nominated by the Scappoose 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.