Alice Mcgregor, Credit Executive, `Best Friend' To Family Members

Alice McGregor was ahead of her time.

Ms. McGregor, a credit and finance executive, persevered in a male-dominated industry to become the president and partner of Pacific Industrial Supply Co. Inc. She also became chairwoman of the board of the National Association of Credit Management.

Ms. McGregor was a single parent. And her three daughters recall that their mother - no matter how busy her schedule - made time for them.

"Even though she was tops in her field, she took the time to make her family No. 1. All of us felt that way," said her daughter, Karen Parks of Seattle. "She also took time to go to weddings of nieces and nephews, even if they were married outside of the country. She made time for everything that mattered in life."

Ms. McGregor died Saturday at home, with her family by her side, after suffering from a long bout with leukemia. She was 70.

Born in Scotland, she graduated from the London Graduate School of Business, and in 1954 came to Seattle. Three years later, she joined Puget Sound Salvage & Equipment Co., which later became known as Pacific Industrial Supply.

Ms. McGregor was known for her warmth and quick wit. She stayed active by playing golf, snorkeling and swimming. And despite being in a business in which she rubbed shoulders with lumberjacks, she enjoyed wearing tailored suits and dresses.

Despite her corporate career, however, Ms. McGregor rarely missed dinner with her daughters. She sipped tea with them after a meal, listening to their dreams.

"To all of us," said daughter Janis Hemmen of Issaquah, "she was our best friend." She showered them with encouragement, expecting them only to work hard and to be gracious in return. "She made each one of us feel special, right down through to her grandchildren. She took a special interest in us and made us feel wonderful."

Ms. McGregor promoted credit education by conducting numerous seminars, and served as a role model to others interested in joining the field. In 1989, she served as chairwoman of a national trade group, the National Association of Credit Managers.

During the same year she led the national board, Ms. McGregor was diagnosed with leukemia. Few people realized she was ill. Nonetheless, her daughters said, their mom never missed a beat.

"She was a real mom, a real grandmom, a real friend," said daughter Joyce McGregor of Vista, Calif.

Besides her daughters, Ms. McGregor is survived by her brothers, Alex Fisken of Scotland and Peter Fisken of England; six grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, and her dear friend, Fiona Phelps.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, 15003 14th Ave. S.W.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Alice M.H. McGregor Scholarship Fund, c/o Donald Conklin, National Association of Credit Management-Western Washington/Alaska chapter, P.O. Box 21966, Seattle 98111-3966.