Those wishing to donate in Blake Nordstrom's name are encouraged to support these organizations.

Remembering Blake

Please share your story of Blake. Your thoughts, photos and memories are a testament to who Blake was, how he lived his life and the number of people he inspired. Read Blake’s obituary.

Thank you, Blake

Dear Blake, Thank you for shining your light on us all. Each of us is better for you having touched our lives. I hope to honor your memory in putting kindness first in all of my actions.

Rembering Blake Nordstrom

My Sincere Condolences to the Nordstrom Family . I have Worked for Nordstrom for 15yrs ! Blake was a nice and Respectable Person and a Class Act!! He Will Sadly Be Missed .

Ava Trice The Grove

Thank You

Blake, You gave me some of the most humbling moments in my 17 years with Nordstrom, but you also gave me some of the best. You had a great balance of tough, but kind. I remember I had a really long day when I was a Store Manager and was doing my usual last voicemail...

Kelsey Faherty

Rest in piece

Dear Nordstrom family, I am deeply saddened by the loss that your family and the entire company have encountered. No words can describe how sorry I am for your loss. I am honored and blessed to have known such an incredible kind, smart and special person. He will be missed but his legacy will live...

Fulya Yaramanoglu

A lasting impact and legacy

I was one of many who didn’t have the fortune of meeting Blake but had quite a few instances over the years where we would pass each other while walking between the various Nordstrom corporate buildings. What I remember the most about those brief encounters was that he was always smiling. Not necessarily smiling at...

Unmatched Ability to Inspire

Blake had this ability to make you feel like you were the only person in the room – even if it was full! As a long time employee, I have always been inspired by and have placed trust in the Family, particularly Blake because he supported my division – Credit – directly. I spent time...

A kind man and great leader

No words can express the sadness and shock we feel in our hearts and we still cannot grasp it. We have lost one that cannot be replaced. Blake would never leave 62#1, without coming to the Tailor shop and meeting every one of us. He would say let me go to my favorite department I...

Sylvia Ferreira

A Better Place

Blake, You taught me to make the world a better place, one person/customer at a time. Thank you for your support, Jace

Jace James

My first Blake visit…

I will never forget being a brand new Rack SM and getting the call that Blake was coming. I had heard so many stories that I wasn’t sure how to feel, but the nerves took over and no other feeling had a chance. I planned and prepped as much as I could, but let’s be...

Stacy Clement

To the Nordstrom Family

I have been employed with Nordstrom since I was 18 years old, and I have been a customer since birth! Blake’s passing has touched me and my family deeply, as we owe much gratitude to the Nordstrom Family. Blake is a truly a leader of a different caliber. I am so lucky to have gotten...

Chelsea Matamoros

Memory at Store Opening

Blake was always the most upbeat a cheery visitor to have in our stores. To be honest, he seemed to be the most relatable of anyone on the Executive team. First time meeting him was when we opened store #283 in Minnetonka, MN. I was in his group the day we had the Executive team...

Paving The Way

#MyBlakeStory Five years ago, I graduated college, moved home and had no idea what career path to take. So, I joined Nordstrom to save money to travel. A year after selling Men’s Shoes at our Portland, Oregon store. I moved to Seattle to work at our flagship store and soon joined our Future Nordstrom Leaders...

Jordan

Always Took Emplyee Feedback Seriously

A couple years ago Blake hosted a rally at our store in Scottsdale 380. As usual he ended his remarks by opening it up to the floor for employee questions and comments. I had an idea I wanted to share but never worked up the courage to raise my hand. Later that day I emailed...

Mahalo Nui Loa Blake

I was fortunate to be one of several managers in Hawaii to be invited to have dinner with Blake. I was nervous, scared, excited, and a little star stuck. Dinner was flooded with great stories and laughs. All I could think about was this is the coolest leader I’ve ever met. I’m honored to have...

Blake

Back in the day when University Village was all independent stores, Blake would come visit my Father at Bernie’s Camera. Blake would get his film developed there. He would always say to my Dad,”My best to Elaine.” Prayers to the Nordstrom family. I was part of your family for 35 years.

Elaine Tonkon

One of a kind

Like everyone else, I was shocked and saddened to learn of Blake’s passing. My thoughts immediately went to the family: Mr. Bruce, his brothers, his wife and kids. What a terrible, terrible loss for them and I am so sorry. I will remember Blake the same way so many have already eloquently stated, as a...

Toni Driver

Blake – a genuine leaderl

I started working at the Clackamas Nordstrom almost 15 years ago. I was impressed during my first year that Blake and other high executives took the time to come to our store and spend time with us at our state of the company meeting. He would tour the store and had time (took time) to...

Juli Soots

Blake was the Best of the Best!!

My heartfelt sympathy to Erik, Pete and Bruce! Blake was soooooo wonderful in so many ways: kind, humble, easy to talk to etc; besides an excellent businessman and a real gentleman with a big heart and team spirit! I cannot believe he is gone and it is sad beyond all words! And words are inadequate...

Susan January

Thanks

I’ve been with Nordstrom for over twenty years, and I always looked forward to Blakes visit to Dallas Galleria. Your leadership and business philosophy will continue on.

Timothy kneipp

Traded His Shoes For Ours…

Genuinely saddened by the loss of our fearless leader… last year I hosted a forum with my amazing friend (somewhat scared we’d be fired). It was a room full of black/brown people honestly discussing workplace challenges being diverse in a predominantly white company. He sat in the back and humbly took it all in, then...

Mia Francois

Rest Easy.

Honestly, just reading through all of these messages is astonishing to me. Being co-president in such a big company, yet still making a point to get to know all of your employees truly says something about ones character. RIP Blake.. we will keep your legacy alive down here, and treat everyone like family.

Kristina Fialdini

Thank you Blake

Blake is what makes this place we work at home. I always remember him saying we spend more time here, than we do with some of our friends and family – and that’s why this place is family. This is why I call Nordstrom, my home. He was a true revolutionary, a future thinker, humble...

Eric Walkingstick

You will be missed

I have been with the company for over 25 yrs and Blake was always so kind and had the best smile. He always made you feel comfortable and showed he truly cared for hie employees. We will miss you dearly, RIP

Thank you Blake.

Met Blake in 2005 at the Hawaii Nordstrom Rack for a SOTC meeting, it was a very brief interaction and thought there was no way I would be meeting him again in the future. Fast forward to 2008 when Hawaii’s first FLS store opened in March. Blake is making the rounds and comes to me...

Meeting Blake

I met Blake about 2 months previous to receiving All Star in 2017. At first I was pretty star stuck but he treated and spoke to me as an equal. At the end of our conversation I felt like we were old friends. His warm and positive nature was infectious. Thank you for all of...

Pedro DeLeon

Beautiful Human

Working for the company for 13 years, you get familiar with the Nordstrom family. Having never worked in stores and always in a support role, you can imagine my surprise when Blake would visit the Nordstrom Bank in Scottsdale, and not only introduce himself and speak to us individually, but then upon returning at a...

Rachel Miller

RIP

I worked at a 2-person cosmetic counter (Prescriptives) at FLS 6 back in 2007. This was only my second Anniversary and my first at this store, having recently transferred from FLS 5. My counter manager was out with an emergency appendectomy and it was the morning of Anniversary – we were set to open the...

Tarah Sahlberg

BE LIKE BLAKE…

Shocked, devastated and heartbroken…we will always remember where we were and what we were doing the moment we heard of Blake’s passing this week. Such a tremendous loss for everyone who’s life he impacted. It’s inspiring to read all the heartfelt and thoughtful “Blake” encounters and stories. It’s clear…he was a true gentleman, a loyal...

Remembering Blake

I have spent the last few days struggling to find the words. I am both incredibly sad to lose my friend and grateful to have had nearly 30 years and countless Blake stories. I spent the last few days reading many tributes on social media from current and former Nordstrom employees, reading articles and news...

Geevy Thomas

His influence will last forever

My deepest condolences go out to the Nordstrom family and all those grieving. He inspired me so much and every chance I got to meet him I would spend the days and nights before his visit digging into my business and memorizing how many wides and narrows we had in our stockroom and what our...

Blake’s heart was bigger than his wonderful smile 💙

I worked for Nordstrom when it was “Nordstrom Best” in the early 70’s. I worked in the Brass Plum at Northgate….my employee number was #2705! I got married ..so had to quit because my husband was going to do his Residency in the Army which took us to Hawaii. I didn’t get to periodically work...

Cindy Gwinn Clapper

How would you want to be remembered?

Just less than a year ago I was one of a few lucky managers to have lunch with Blake during a visit. I wanted to get to know him on a personal level so I asked him this, “how would you want to be remembered?” He took a moment to think. His answer didn’t shock...

Sam Lowry

True Servant Leadership

I feel lucky to have worked at Nordstrom during the Blake era to learn what true servant leadership looks like. As many have shared, Blake made you feel important and respected no matter who you were—whether you’re an executive or the guy on the corner selling Real Change, (true story, I saw him buy an...

Great Leader

Blake was a great leader who’s values and commitment to Nordstrom as a company will never be forgotten. I wish I had a cool Blake story, but all I have is the first walk I had with him as a DM when I asked him if he wanted to go to a BeyoncĂ© concert with...

Lindsey Marvin, 221 Oakbrook

New Nordy

I had the pleasure of meeting Blake at our store opening in August 2017. Such an inspiring man! His zest for life and passion for servant leadership has inspired me to live amazing NORDSTROM values everyday! RIP Blake

Tracy

The Profound Effect of Blake Nordstrom

There have been a few times in my life that I have been taken off guard by how profoundly affected I was because of the passing of someone I didn’t know well. This is one of those times. Our whole Nordstrom family is grieving. A bright light in our company and the world has been...

Jennifer Woodruff

You Will Be Missed

Blake was truly a great person to speak with and get to know. He was one of the first people I met when we started and opened this store! His philosophy was simple, basically treat each other the way you would want to be treated. His passion about the customer, the company, and the employees...

Juanita Slaughter

RIP

Mr. Blake, simply you left this world a better place than you found it. To see the impact you have have had on so many lives brings me to tears đź’™ You are what we should all strive to be.

Jen Buren

He was the most humble man I know

He was one of the most successful men I look up to at a young age. He remained very approachable, humble and inspiring. I met him during our opening in our store at 833 and he always had a smile on his face which made me feel not intimidated around him. We’ll miss you, Blake

Kindness Personified

I lost my mother to cancer in January 2017. The last six months we had with her were very difficult, but Nordstrom worked with my schedule and provided much-needed emotional support. After her memorial, Blake took time to reach out to me personally with a warm note of condolence. I was truly touched that someone...

Ilse Manche, Card Services

A Genuinely Nice Man

So, this story about Blake has nothing to do with the company, just the person he was. Hank and I were at SeaTac flying out and at the Alaska Airlines counter. Blake and his son walked up and greeted us and said they were on their way for a weekend trip. The airline representative could...

Great Leader

I was fortunate enough to have the honor of meeting Blake twice and the first time is truly the reason that I love working for this company. It was my first corporate walk and this towering man in a suit comes up and introduces himself as Blake Nordstrom. Of course, I immediately start to panic...

Erica Sims

Inspiring leader, amazing human-being

I’ve been with Nordstrom for 18 years and one of the reasons is because of leaders like Blake and his brothers. There’s nothing out there like Nordstrom. I’ve had the pleasure to meet Blake a few times during his visits to my store, his smile and his engaging personality made it very easy to talk...

My Memory

I had the pleasure of meeting Blake at my first Recognition Meeting Oct. 29, 2015 at Store 772 (Phipps Plaza). I had only been a part of the Nordstrom family, Store 760 (Perimeter Mall), for nine months and at the time was a part of the Fall FNL Program. I was so nervous because I...

Keisha Garr

Connecting through cancer

I was the Store Manager of the Brea Rack and undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer in 2010 when Blake first popped by the Brea Rack unexpectedly. As I was in my office reviewing my figures from the day prior I heard a knock on my office door (which of course was left open), I looked...

Melanie Mullinax

The Spanx Bra!!!

Out of the 18yrs of serving the Great Nordstrom family, I had many encounters with Blake. Back at 523 when I was a Hosiery Manager I was put up a front display of a Spanx Bra. Blake was doing his store walks and it was my turn…. We must have talked about that bra for...

Jami Q. Brown

Beyond Expectation

Blake was the first Exec of a company I met that I have worked for and it was on the first day being with the company during the presidents cup at 724. Blake took time from the meeting to introduce himself to me and give a story about his time with the company. This was...

Garrett H

R.I.P Blake

Thank you for leaving it better than you found it Blake :-). This company has been great to work for because of you and your family. You were such a great leader, mentor and friend. Rest in Paradise.

Andy Marrero