Lucille Torrison Haynes
Lucille (Lucy) Haynes, 97, passed away at her longtime Government Camp home on Nov. 11, 2008. A lifelong active skier and hiker – well into her 80’s – she had traveled all over the world. But her first love was always Mount Hood, especially Timberline Lodge. In the 1930’s, she helped with the building of the lodge, and also helped with construction of Government Camp’s Cascade Ski Club lodge in the late 1940’s.
She was an Oregon Winter Sports Association Princess in 1941, member of Associated Women Skiers (throughout 1940-50), Cascade Ski Club, Friends of Timberline, and the Pacific Northwest ski group “Over the Hill Gang”.
Born Lucille Ardella Torrison in Thief River Falls, Minnesota on June 23, 1911 to Goodnow and Josephine Torrison, her family lived several places in Minnesota and North Dakota before moving to Hood River, Oregon in 1920. Her father built their house, that still stands today in the Hood River “Heights” area.
A talented piano player, Lucy performed solo recitals at age 14. She graduated from Hood River High School in 1928 and attended the University of Oregon. For many years, she worked as a secretary at Portland’s Malarkey Wood Products and also Don Kaufman Food Brokerage.
She married Bruce Lewellen Haynes in 1951, he was killed in the Korean War. Her only child, Bruce was born in 1952. A single parent, Lucy and Bruce lived in North Portland until 1963 when they moved to Government Camp where Lucy became manager and caretaker of Cascade Ski Club. For several years prior, she had served as the club’s volunteer membership secretary. At Cascade, she became “Mom” to many who came there to stay. She loved the late night conversations and opportunity to provide worldly advice.
Soon after arrival in Government Camp, Lucy also took on the duties of secretary for the Government Camp Sanitary District. In 1969, she left Cascade Ski Club and started LH Rentals at Golden Poles Condominiums, where she was the onsite manager. In 1971, she left that business and had her cabin built in east Government Camp.
She continued as secretary for the sanitary district until 1998, when she retired at age 87. During her many decades with the district, it passed every independent audit with commendation. Four times each year for 30 years, Lucy’s fingers typed out every homeowners’ address for the district’s annual statements. She was on a first-name basis with nearly every property owner in Government Camp- and was a dear friend to many.
In the late 1970’s, Lucy fought and won her battle with breast cancer.
Almost every year from the 1930’s to 2000, she traveled with friends, and later on her son, to various points around the globe. She heli-hiked in Canada, van-camped across the southwest United States, white-water rafted in Arizona, parasailed in Mexico, and enjoyed ocean cruises all over the world. If it was fun- Lucy was ready.
Most of all, Lucy loved to dance. She was notorious in government Camp for wearing out everyone – always younger than she - out on the dance floor.
She is survived by son Bruce of Welches and her many friends all over the world.
She will be buried at Idlewilde Cemetery in Hood River. On Nov. 23 at 1:00 p.m., a Celebration of Lucy’s Life will be held at Cascade Ski Club in Government Camp.
Contributions can be made in Lucy’s name to the Mt. Hood Cultural Center and Museum in Government Camp.