Alice Elizabeth Dick

Alice was born in Portland, Oregon, she was the first child of Edward and Arvilla Perkins, her beloved brother Robert was born the following year. Their closeness in age engendered a joyful childhood companionship and love that lasted a lifetime. From a young age, Alice showed musical talent, playing piano and accompanying her father, who played harmonica. They would often entertain in the parlor with music on Sunday’s, and these were lively family gatherings. The Perkins’ were active members of Sunnyside Centenary United Methodist Church, and Alice sang in the choir as a teen. She loved singing and studied voice intensively for four years. Alice graduated from Washington High School in 1938 and was active in Glee Club, and she did consider a career in opera for a time.

Her artistry was soon to take a different path that would lead to a distinguished lifetime career in fashion. Her first job soon after graduating was with Lipman-Wolfe & Company at their flagship store in downtown Portland. She excelled in the Millinery department, as everyone wore hats in those days, and the outfit was not complete without one. In addition to her work, Alice enjoyed sports, playing tennis with brother Bob, and roller skating. It was at Oaks Roller Rink that she met her husband-to-be, Verlin Lewis Dick. With the bombing of Pearl Harbor and our entry into WWII, Verlin enlisted in the Navy and was in the Submarine Service throughout the war, serving in both the Atlantic and Pacific. While Verlin was on shore leave in New York City, Alice travelled to meet him and these two sweethearts tied the knot at The Little Church Around The Corner on June 19, 1944.

After the war was over, Alice and Verlin settled in Eugene, where he studied at the University of Oregon. Their only child, Cheryl Lynn was born in 1949. Alice continued her passion for creative use of fabrics and honed her skills as a seamstress by sewing garments for herself and her daughter. She was keen to be back in the fashion world professionally, and started working at Town and Travel, a unique women’s clothing boutique. The store specialized in bringing avant-garde European designer lines to Eugene. The store gained a regional reputation that went far beyond this Willamette valley town, and was a hub for fashion conscious ladies.

In 1968, Verlin’s work as an engineer brought him and Alice back to Portland, and she was soon to launch her career with Nordstrom, where she would stay until she retired at the age of 85. During those years, Alice helped build, and exemplified the Nordstrom philosophy of excellence in customer service, above and beyond. As she said in The Nordstrom Way “You have to appreciate where the customer is coming from. She has a reason to be there, and it’s up to you to bring that out and find out how you can help her.” Alice dedicated herself to the wonderful personal relationships she had with her customers. Before her appointments, she would have the fitting room set with fresh flowers and beverage. Each of her customers was unique, and she only wanted her ladies to reflect the beautiful vision of garments suited especially for them. She would never sell anything for the sake of just a sale, because her service was from the heart.

Alice had close working relationships with her colleagues, and the buyers for Jewelry, and the designer sportswear department, Collectors. She was not shy, and made requests that the buyers should visit specific showrooms while on buying trips to New York, in search of emerging artists. Collectors was a great ‘home’ and she always researched and kept abreast of the latest trends and designers. Nordstrom regularly featured artists for in-store events during those years. Coty Award winning artist, Clifton Nicholson, Jr. was just such an artist, and Alice was instrumental in bringing him to Nordstrom in 1974. Clifton would travel to Portland from Indiana twice yearly for a week-long show and gala reception featuring his latest creations. These were wonderful events, and Alice helped build a wide regional following for Clifton and his art. They had a very special relationship spanning over 44 years, and Alice thought of him as a son.

Already a member of the Nordstrom ‘Pacesetter’ club, Alice was honored late in her career by designer Donna Karan as one of the top three sales associates of her line in the country. Alice decided to retire in 2004 at the age of 85. She always appreciated that Nordstrom did not force anyone to retire before they were ready, and she felt she still had contributions to make until late in life. Alice was a trailblazer, and one of a kind in her profession, a true ‘fashionista’.

As her daughter, I can say I have been truly blessed that Alice is my mother. Beyond the wonderful career she had, she made time to be a great mother and homemaker. We always had a vegetable garden, and Summer was not complete without her lovely geraniums. I have fond memories of coming home from school as a ravenous teen and devouring several slices of her great homemade bread. And besides that, our house was always neat and tidy (I think she had a bit of wonder woman gene). Alice always tried to create and see beauty around her, and in the people she knew. That is what I will love and cherish forever.

Alice is survived by daughter Cheryl Mellnik, son-in-law Ed Mellnik, granddaughters Rebecca Mellnik and Casey Mellnik, great-grandson Wyatt Hudson, and nieces and nephews: Mary Ellen Schaefer, Jamie Spaulding, Robert Perkins Jr., Michael Perkins, and Stephen Perkins.