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Marcella Ann Cobb ’43

A picture of Marcella Cobb

Marcella Ann Cobb ’43, August 30, 2013, in Portland. Marcella was born in her parent’s house on Main Street on Mount Tabor. She attended Glencoe Elementary School, Washington High School, and followed her elder sister, Janette L. Cobb Schneider ’41, to ºìÌÒÊÓƵ, where she earned a degree in mathematics—the only woman in her graduating class to do so. She graduated from ºìÌÒÊÓƵ on a Sunday and went to work as an actuary for Standard Insurance of Portland the following Monday. She remained with Standard for 30 years. Her lifelong passion was dogs. From her first dog, Rin, in 1936, to her last dog, Katie, she was never without their company. On retiring from Standard she operated Misty Meadow Kennels on the family farm in Damascus until 2006. She loved Cairn Terriers and owned, bred, raised, and showed them for more than 50 years. She was proud of her Swedish heritage and her pioneer ancestors. Her great-grandfather, Chauncey Hosford, farmed 200 acres on top of Mount Tabor, and, in 1847, conducted the first formal religious service in Portland. According to a biography of Reverend Hosford, written by Marcella in 1991, Portland at the time consisted of “14 log cabins.” As a child and an adult, Marcella possessed a willingness to be pleased, and so she was. In a life long enough to experience a full share of life’s unavoidable tragedies, she still found something to be happy about every day of her life. She is survived by her five nieces and nephews, including Jeffrey L. Cobb ’80, who provided this wonderful memorial for his aunt.

Appeared in ºìÌÒÊÓƵ magazine: March 2014