Los Angeles
County
Biographies
LORRAINE
ELLEN SUTHERLAND
Endowed
with artistic ability and a flair for fashion, which had their potentials
developed through professional training and years as a fashion designer, Lorraine
Ellen Sutherland owns and operates one of the best patronized dress shops in
Alhambra. Her excellent taste in
clothes, be it haute couture or a casual dress, her knowledge of color and
fabrics, her insistence on fine workmanship, as well as appreciation for the
style consciousness of her customers, and at the same time an awareness for the
wearability of clothes, have given her shop, Lorraine Sutherland Feminine
Fashions, at 300 North Garfield Avenue in Alhambra, the reputation in the San
Gabriel Valley for well-designed clothes and the just right accessories. Lorraine Sutherland Feminine Fashions is one
of the largest owner operated shops in the district, and her customers from
many surrounding communities are assured of her personal attention and
advice. She conducts fashion shows for
various organizations, and is the first fashion expert to present fashion shows
in airplanes.
Lorraine
Sutherland is the proud descendant of one of California’s early distinguished
families. Her maternal grandfather,
Abram Walters, founded the town of Walteria in
California in the early 1890’s. Mrs.
Sutherland’s maternal grandfather was a builder of many of the early homes in
Alhambra. In 1919 her father opened one
of the first theaters in Alhambra, the “Granada”, which has since been sold and
renamed the Coronet Theater. After his
death her mother, Mrs. Richlie Greth,
became part owner of the Alhambra and El Rey Theaters.
Mrs.
Sutherland was born December 16, 1918, in the same home at 317 North Stoneman
Avenue in Alhambra, which is still her residence, and where she keeps many of
the lovely antiques which she treasures.
Her father, Frank A. Greth, was born in San
Francisco, and held a position with Security First National Bank in Los
Angeles. Her mother, Richlie
A. (Baker) Greth, was born in Bakersfield. Mrs. Greth is
active in the Alhambra Women’s Club, and was treasurer for many years.
After
attending Garfield Grammar School, Mrs. Sutherland graduated from Alhambra High
School, and continued at Pasadena Junior College for two years. She was Girl’s League President at Alhambra
High School in 1936, and belonged to Pam-Phile Club
at Pasadena Junior College.
From
then on she followed her inclination and talent for fashion. For several she worked as a fashion model for
different stores, and from 1945 to 1951 she had a position with J. W. Robinson
Company. In 1951 she opened Lorraine
Sutherland Feminine Fashions at 300 North Garfield Avenue in Alhambra. Here too, in well-chosen surroundings, she
displays some of her treasured antiques.
She has expanded and enlarged the store, until she has now six
employees.
She
was married to Richard Edward Sutherland on September 16, 1939, in South
Pasadena. Mr. Sutherland was born in Los
Angeles, where his mother was born too.
He is in the real estate business, and is a member of the Alhambra Elks
Lodge B. P. O. E. 1328. The Sutherland’s
have two children, Malinda Sutherland, who is in her senior year in Alhambra
High School, and after graduation in Fall, will continue her education at Pasadena
City College. Stephen Sutherland attends
Garfield Grammar School. Mrs.
Sutherland’s children follow in her educational footsteps: Garfield Grammar
School, Alhambra High School, of which Mrs. Sutherland is also an alumnus, and
Pasadena City College.
The
Sutherland family attends the Church of Religious Science in Alhambra.
Mrs.
Sutherland’s credo is the Golden Rule.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
Historical Volume & Reference Works Including Alhambra, Monterey Park,
Rosemead, San Gabriel & Temple City, by Robert P. Studer,
Pages 624-626, Historical Publ., Los Angeles, California. 1962.
© 2013 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN NUGGET'S LOS ANGELES
BIOGRAPHIES