Husky Deli, family, and friends mourn Mary Alyce Miller

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Jack Miller at Husky Deli has been getting condolences all day from folks getting the news about his Aunt Alyce, who worked at the store for more than 70 of her 90 years – until August 10th, less than two weeks ago. She died yesterday morning. She never married but leaves behind 20 nieces and nephews. She was born Mary Alyce Miller on November 15, 1919 in Peru, Indiana, and moved to West Seattle in 1931. In 1936, her father bought the Edgewood Farm Grocery, and she began working behind the counter. Jack Miller says she’s the one “who got the store through the war.” She worked to keep it open and operating even when wartime rationing and restrictions were in place. Jack says she was always dedicated to the family business, and that she taught him the value of a dollar earned. Alyce’s rosary and vigil will be 7 pm this Friday night at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, followed by her Funeral Mass there at 10:30 am Saturday.

d August 23, 2010 (5:06 pm)

Oh, she was a sweet heart. Last time I was in she helped me find a very nice chocolate bar :).

Condolences to the family.

ad August 23, 2010 (5:28 pm)

My family is very sad about this because she was so full of life and we didn’t expect it to end so quickly.

I’m imagining her sitting amongst lots of roses and her dog Candy, and other loved ones.

Rest in Peace, Alyce.

pam August 23, 2010 (6:09 pm)

We will miss her….

Celeste August 23, 2010 (6:18 pm)

I will miss Miss Alyce. I wish the family peace in her passing. May God bless her and hold her in his palm for a peaceful transition to Heaven. May she meet all those who have passed before her.

miws August 23, 2010 (7:19 pm)

Condolences to the Miller Family and friends, and to Husky staff.

Mike

BB August 23, 2010 (7:38 pm)

Breaks my heart… she always seemed so happy to be there. What a sweet, wonderful woman. All the best to her family.

blueemerald August 23, 2010 (8:23 pm)

My most sincere condolences to the Miller family, and Husky Deli staff. I will always remember her and the little pink bags she lovingly used to package my candy. She will most certainly be missed by many.

Duckitude August 23, 2010 (8:30 pm)

I will most definitely miss Alyce. She was the sweetest sweets person I have ever known. She turned me on to brandy-filled candies from Germany (Asbach) way back when the alcohol board was not cracking down on candy stores that sold liquor-filled candies. Eventually, Husky was more or less unable to stock such goodies and I was forced to start ordering them from a Florida German specialties store. Alyce always had the best recommendations for candy truffles and other candies. She was the best! My sincere and deep condolences to all who will miss her, and especially her near and dear.

Bob Loblaw August 23, 2010 (8:49 pm)

Hope the Millers read what is sure to be a long line of people commenting about Alyce. A great lady if there ever was one. She will be missed by nearly all of West Seattle. Condolences to the family.

WSB August 23, 2010 (8:53 pm)

Bob L – I hope they will; they called us specifically to share the story with WSB readers, and Patrick went down to Husky to speak with Jack Miller (and get the photos), so they at least certainly are aware there’d be a story here – TR

Cclarue August 23, 2010 (9:04 pm)

What a woman!!! 90 and working! I pray I will be as blessed as Alice. Condolences to the Millers and Husky staff.

Stacy August 23, 2010 (9:08 pm)

So sorry to hear of this news about such a great lady. Husky Deli and everyone who has worked there over the decades is part of the heart of West Seattle, and we’re all thinking of the family and everyone there.

Silly Goose August 23, 2010 (9:38 pm)

I was so sadden to read the news of precious little Alyce passing. I use to get the biggest chuckle out of watching her keep the employed high school kids in line at Husky Deli. That tiny little woman had more power than she knew, and boy did she always know how to pick out the right box of chocolates for any occassion. I will miss that sweet woman and think of her every time I got in for my chocolate fix. Big Hugs to you Miller Family during your time of sorrow.

andy immel August 23, 2010 (9:43 pm)

Yes, truly sad – it was always so nice just to see and speak with Alyce on the few occasions I got to the Husky. I’ve always had a soft spot for Aunt Alyce and she always made me feel part of her family, a bit removed though it was. My condolences to Aunt Marie, all my cousins and all those that had the pleasure to have met or known Mary Alyce Miller. May God be with her (I think that is a given).
Andy Immel

Heidi McGough August 23, 2010 (9:47 pm)

Dear Miller Family, I think of Alyce fondly and do remember her smiling face. Most times when I think of the Husky, Alice is right there. My sincere condolences to all of you as well as everyone at the Husky.
Love, heidi (Santa Cruz)

Judy August 23, 2010 (10:09 pm)

So sorry to hear the loss. Hard to believe Alyce was 90 with all her energy! She’ll be missed so much. Condolences to The Miller Family!

Jennifer August 23, 2010 (10:46 pm)

Dear Miller Family:

My heart goes out to your family. This is the second loss we have had in 2 months of a long time West Seattle Business Family and Friend. And all of our long time West Seattle Business Owners are Family to all of us who have been here for several generations. All of us that knew Alyce will remember her for her warm smile and kind cheery self she had for every customer who passes through Husky Deli and in West Seattle! You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I have never been able to come into Husky’s without looking for Alyce. I am sure I will always feel her smile here everytime I continue to come in!

Warmest Sympathies.

OP August 23, 2010 (11:09 pm)

Many condolences to the Miller family. I gave her Communion many times. Such a sweet lady!

J August 23, 2010 (11:40 pm)

I’ll miss her.

k August 24, 2010 (6:25 am)

my condolences to her family. i will miss her “sweet” advice.

liz August 24, 2010 (7:26 am)

My heartfelt condolences to the family, she was the face of Husky for many years and I will remember her. I had just asked about her when I up at the sidewalk sale…she will be missed..

GoGo August 24, 2010 (7:29 am)

My sincere condolences to Jack and his family, I always loved seeing Alyce there when I went in.

Eric B August 24, 2010 (7:29 am)

I didn’t know Alyce well (and she certainly didn’t know me out of the hundreds of other customers at Husky), but I see her as one of the reasons that my neighborhood is so great. Her dedication and kindness expanded like ripples from a rock thrown into a pond. Thank you Alyce.

Ishwari Sollohub August 24, 2010 (7:45 am)

Dear Millers,
Such sweet and beautiful pictures of Alyce that are published with this notice. Frank told Monday night that she had died, and now Tuesday morning, as I read all the condolences, tears come to my eyes. Sweet is the word, isn’t it? Although I noticed that more than one person is acknowledging Alyce’s great strength as well. Sending my love to each of you at this time. It looks as though all of Seattle will miss Alyce.

Tracy H August 24, 2010 (7:46 am)

I met her when I first moved to Seattle. A lovely and hard working lady. She will be missed.

Carraig na splinkeen August 24, 2010 (8:20 am)

Is there a truffle counter in heaven? If so, she is now behind it. I will always think of her whenever I have a heavenly tasting chocolate—she was one of a kind and will be missed. Condolences to the Miller family.

A August 24, 2010 (8:33 am)

I’ll miss her as well. She always brightened my day on the occasions I came in for a little bag of treats.

danielle August 24, 2010 (8:39 am)

My daughter and I went there often to get there delicious chocolates. Alyce’s presence was always the highlight of our trip. She will be missed.

T-Rex August 24, 2010 (9:29 am)

Getting gummy bears will never be the same.

Mike August 24, 2010 (10:03 am)

We will miss her.

CanDo August 24, 2010 (10:38 am)

Alyce always made me chuckle at the candy counter. She will be greatly missed.

Lola August 24, 2010 (11:45 am)

My condolances to the Miller family. Alyce was always so cheerful and smiling whenever you went into Husky’s. She will be missed. I have always remembered her being there since I was little and would go up with my folks to Husky’s. One special lady.

BD August 24, 2010 (1:23 pm)

Our condolences to the Miller family. Alyce was a gracious, kind woman and will be missed around Husky Deli and West Seattle.

Maureen August 24, 2010 (2:11 pm)

Alice was a Sweet woman. My condolences to the Miller Family and Husky Staff.

Tracy D. August 24, 2010 (2:32 pm)

To the Miller family and all the staff at Husky Deli, my deepest condolences. What a sweetheart Alyce was…she will be missed! Thoughts and prayers are with you all!

EPL August 24, 2010 (6:49 pm)

She was a living doll. My deepest sympathy.

Cathy in WS! August 24, 2010 (8:04 pm)

Another piece of West Seattle history gone. As long as I can remember, she has been the smiling woman behind the counter at Huskies. Sincere condolences to the family and friends of Miss Alyce, an icon who will be sorely missed.

Mach Family August 24, 2010 (8:37 pm)

Alyce was a fixture when I stopped in for my routine ice cream cone fix way back in my youth, and has continued to be as my daughters took over that duty these last many years. We will all miss her dynamic, welcoming, professional, and just the tiniest bit mischievous sparkle.

Beth G August 24, 2010 (11:23 pm)

Deepest sympathies to the Millers & the Husky Deli family. What a joy that Alyce had so many years to brighten peoples lives. You are all in my thoughts & prayers.

Roberta Dillan August 25, 2010 (8:52 pm)

As one of Alyce’s many nieces’, I have known her for more than 50 years. She is an inspiration and a great example to us all. She has touched so many hearts over the years in such positive ways. I will miss her quiet little giggle, her twinkly eyes and beautiful smile. Never a complainer. She may have been disappointed from time to time, but she never harbored any resentment and always turned lemons into lemonade. When she became old enough to retire none of us “youngsters” understood why she continued to go to work and not turn her duties over to the capable hands at the Husky, then go do something ‘fun’. But Husky’s was her kind of fun. It kept her young mentally and physically by interacting with the young staff, waiting on the many customers she had grown so fond of and dashing around Husky’s kept her in good physical shape. As her osteoporosis and arthritis took its toll, she may have discontinued the dashing and slowed down to a walk, but she never stopped. She was the human form of the Energizer Bunny Rabbit even at 90! Now in the loving arms of Jesus she is with her brothers she adored and her mom and dad she honored and loved so much. God Bless you Alyce, you will be forever missed.

Rhonda O'Leary August 26, 2010 (11:05 am)

Dear Jack and all of the Millers:
So sorry for your loss. Alyce was always a treasure when we visited the store.
the O’Leary’s from Brace Point.

Claudia August 26, 2010 (1:42 pm)

I am so sad, but very grateful to have known her. She was a treasure and delightful to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with all of her family.
“Paul’s big sister”

Joanie Bechtold August 27, 2010 (7:32 am)

Dear Millers and family —
We also share in the sadness at Alyce’s passing, she has been at Husky since I was old enough to remember being there. And in more recent years I’d always be amazed when she would recognize me and my family when we’d pop in every year or so from Minneapolis to see our Miller cousin — A smile and always asking about our kids (by name) and remembering details galore. I am so happy that we could see her in June when we came through West Seattle. She has made so many friends in her full life — what an icon of the Junction. All our love, Joanie, Brian, Mairna, Carlo

Repanich family August 27, 2010 (9:55 pm)

We were so sorry to hear tonight about Alyce. Rosemary and Alyce were best friends for more than 80 years. They grew up on the same street across from Holy Names Academy and Alyce was the maid of honor in Rosemary’s wedding party in 1953 and a special friend. We would always visit Alyce at the deli to say hello and share news of the family. Rosemary will miss her dearly.

Roger Scholten August 27, 2010 (11:03 pm)

Alyce’s smiling face behind the candy counter at Husky Deli was one of the first faces I remember upon our arrival to my new home and job in West Seattle 16 years ago. She had always kept me well stocked in Belgian Dark chocolate – a delight I’d never had before coming from the Midwest, but then Husky Deli has always been a place chocked full of delights. Alyce, is one delight I fear I will truly miss.
I found out about the funeral just this afternoon and would love to be there to express my kindest regards and sympathy to Jack and all the Millers, but cannot. It appears we both have jobs we love, due to the very people we serve, and that is what makes this, such a wonderful place to call home.

We will all miss you Alyce.

Roger Scholten

Marty Talarico August 28, 2010 (9:22 pm)

Dear Jack and all your family, we will always remember your Aunt Alyce for her warm smile and assistance in the famed Husky Deli. Our deepest condolences to you and all her friends and family whose life she has touched. She will be missed but may we honor her life by remembering and creating the good cheer she always represented.

Love and Respect, Marty and Pat

sandy steiner August 29, 2010 (7:27 am)

I remember Miss Alyce fondly. She seemed to love her chocolates and was right on with her recommendations. She always had a twinkle in her eye and a smile to share.

blueemerald September 1, 2010 (9:16 pm)

I went into Husky this evening and noticed several flower arrangements on top of the candy counter in memory of Miss Alyce. Also some copies of the service for her (including a sweet and touching poem written by a Husky/Miss Alyce friend). Poignant. Easy to feel the spirit of Miss Alyce still very much present.

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