By Margaret Branson
Mt. Hood Hospice
Maryellen Englesby, noted author of “Township Pompeii, A History of Government Camp,” recently celebrated her 90th birthday. An open house was hosted June 3rd at her Government Camp home by her son Lee Englesby and daughter Susan Englesby.
Born Maryellen Loveland in Portland, the family moved to Government Camp in 1937 and soon included brother Ed. Her father worked five days a week in Portland and would bring supplies for the family on weekends. There was no electric or telephone service to residences of Government Camp until after World War II. Maryellen attended Welches Grade School and graduated from Sandy High School.
Maryellen started skiing at age six. That love continued with ski racing through high school. She began working at West’s Ski shop at age 12. After graduation she married Joe Englesby and they opened a ski shop known as The Trollhaugen. They operated the ski shop until 2009. Joe and Maryellen raised Susan, Lee, and Eloise. The first recorded birth was Eloise in Government Camp. Husband Joe died in 2014. Fiercely independent, Maryellen continues living with her Maine coon cat, Jaquetta. Maryellen loves to walk daily in Government Camp.
Her book “Township Pompeii, A History of Government Camp” is available at the Mt Hood Museum and Cultural Center.