Sue Pearce started with ORHF as a babysitter … of locomotives.

As a Hosford-Abernethy Neighborhood District (HAND) Association member, Sue was recommended for the ORHF board by Phil Selinger, the organization’s first executive director. At the time, ORHF bylaws stipulated that the board include a representative from HAND, the “soon to be” host neighborhood.

In 2009-2010, plans were getting underway for the Enginehouse. Locomotives were moved from Brooklyn Yard to our Water Avenue property, and volunteers took turns watching over them at night. Sue worked two overnight shifts each week. From there, her involvement grew. As a “retired” PIC (Person-In-Charge), Sue runs the museum gift shop on most Sundays. On occasion she serves as museum greeter. From either post, Sue loves to get to know our guests. She is impressed that ORHC visitors are so diverse and come from all corners of the world. Sue is also impressed with the skills and dedication of her volunteer colleagues, both the members of the volunteer-services group and the “wrench turners”!

Born in Spokane on Christmas Day, Sue loved growing up in Orofino, Idaho. Orofino, located east of Lewiston, is where Lewis and Clark encountered the Nez Perce tribe, learned to build canoes and used them to travel through the Columbia River Gorge. Sue came to Portland in 1966 to attend the University of Oregon School of Nursing (now Oregon Health & Sciences University). She has been a registered nurse in a variety of settings, including emergency, ICU and surgery, finishing her career as a home health and hospice nurse. In addition to working full time, from 1975 to 1990 Sue was a member of the Mt. Hood Ski Patrol. She managed the first aid room, taught first aid classes, and served as the first female First Aid Chief for two years.

While an emergency room nurse, Sue once treated Clarence Clemons, the sax-playing sidekick of Bruce Springsteen in the E-Street Band. As a thank you, Clarence flew her to Seattle, where she enjoyed the concert and backstage antics as his guest.

She recently lost her beloved companion of nearly nine years, an Australian Shepherd named Maggie Mae, who would have turned 16 this month. Sue enjoys many friendships, travel, wine tastings, gardening, reading and the symphony. Not to mention her favorite food group–chocolate!