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George Marston Ordered Her Ice Cream!
By Robin Lakin
May/June 2022
 Marie K. Jordan, San Diego Union, September 10, 1931 |
 Priscilla Porter. By Marlena Krcelich |
Priscilla Jordan Porter, the niece of George Marston’s longtime personal secretary Marie Jordan, visited the Marston House in February 2022. Priscilla, who still lives in San Diego, first visited the Marston Store office to see her aunt around 1930, when she was three. She recalled how Mr. Marston, a grandfatherly sort with a twinkle in his eye, ordered a bowl of ice cream for her.
Naturally, Priscilla loved the toy department in the basement, and the pneumatic tube system (used for store payments) fascinated her. When Priscilla was older she enjoyed dining in the tea room, her bowl of ice cream and playtime replaced by coconut cream pie and fashion shows!
As a teenager, Priscilla got her first job at Marston’s, working in the boys’ department. Later, she would drive her aunt to the Marston’s home to see George and Anna’s daughter, Mary Marston. They gathered in the living room’s southeast corner, next to the window.
Marie K. Jordan was born and grew up in Cumberland, Maine, before moving to San Diego in 1914 to attend the Kelsey Jenney Business College, San Diego’s oldest institute of higher learning (1887-2002). Marie first worked as a secretary for Thearle’s Music Company in 1915, and then at the Spreckels Savage Tire Company (1921-1924). The Marston Company hired her in 1924, and she served as George Marston’s personal secretary for the rest of her career.
Marie never married. She was involved in many organizations, received frequent mention in the newspapers, acted as the family social planner/organizer, and was quite the dancer! Looking at her photo taken in 1927 (which Priscilla had never seen), we can imagine Marie dancing the fox trot and the Charleston! We are grateful that Priscilla shared her memories with SOHO and hope for more visits in the future.
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