Alice A. Gordon

Alice Abelove Gordon, 94, was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and business owner. Alice passed away October 19, 2013. She founded specialty clothing stores My Boys' Shop and The University Shop on Genesee Street in Utica, New York together with her late husband Albert Gordon.

Alice Abelove was born on July 24, 1919 the daughter of Ida and Joseph Abelove. She was the youngest of four children including Milton Abelove, Sylvia Abrams and Leo Abelove who lived in Utica, New York.

Alice Abelove graduated from State Teacher's College in Albany,New York. She taught English in public schools, on an Indian Reservation and hosted an educational radio show in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

She married Albert H. Gordon in 1943 moving to Utica where they were in business together.

Their achievements together included winning the "Men's Wear Retailer of the Year" award from the National Association of Men's and Boy's Apparel Clubs in July of 1972. Their clothing stores served not only locals but customers who traveled from as far away as Albany and Syracuse and included pianist Liberace during a concert stop at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. Liberace was famous for his outlandish costumes and told the Gordons he had "Never bought a suit off a store rack" before meeting them. Alice served as President of the Sisterhood of Temple Beth El in Utica and collaborated with her sister Sylvia writing and directing stage shows for the Temple. She wrote and published poetry.

Alice and Al retired moving to Pompano Beach, Florida in 1980 where they were active in the community. In 2005 they took up residence in Jacksonville, Florida where they established a speakers program on politics and current affairs in their Independent Living facility. Those who knew her there thought of Alice as a good friend who always had a kind word and a great sense of humor. Her caregivers thought of her as family as did so many people she reached out to during the course of her lifetime.

Alice Gordon leaves daughter Robbie Gordon of Jacksonville, Florida and son Herbert Gordon of Bethesda, Maryland who are both news and media professionals. She has four grandchildren. Joshua and Caila Koster of Washington, DC. Adam Gordon of Los Angeles and Michael Gordon who lives in Phoenix, Arizona.

Arrangements by Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hardage-giddenshendricksave.com.