Calif. Nordstrom's oldest employee retires

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- The oldest employee at a Nordstrom store in Costa Mesa, Calif., has retired at 81-years-old after 21 years with the store.

Yvonne Dutton said she found herself searching for a new career at age 60 when the financial strain of raising three children on food stamps was further exacerbated by the end of her 37-year marriage, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

Dutton said she found a rewarding career at Nordstrom's concierge desk.

"One of the reasons I wanted to work in customer service," Dutton said, "is to help people, especially older women. My message to them, and to married mothers, is that they have lots to offer and it's never too late to make a change."

The octogenarian's co-workers said her tenure will be fondly remembered at the store.

"Yvonne will be missed," said Scott Colunga, assistant manager at Nordstrom. "Her (presence) speaks to people. We have customers who grew up with Yvonne; when she's on vacation, they ask where she is."

Dutton said she now plans "to start taking piano lessons again, go back to my Bible study and whatever else comes."