Published in the July 28, 2017 edition
STONEHAM — Virginia L. (McAuley) “Ginny” Sorenson, 94, of Stoneham, passed away peacefully at the Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading on Saturday, July 22.
Ginny was born in Everett on October 28, 1922, the daughter of the late William J. McAuley and Alice (Schneider) McAuley. She was raised in Melrose where she graduated from Melrose High School, Class of 1940.
Shortly after graduating from high school, she enlisted in the United States Navy, serving from 1943 until receiving an honorable discharge in 1946. While traveling to work at the phone company in Boston, she was introduced to the “tall red head” whom she had noticed on her daily bus route. Ginny quickly fell in love, married Andrew P. Sorenson in 1948, and would share a life of devotion and friendship for 48 years.
As an only child, Ginny felt strongly that she wanted a large family to love endlessly, and she succeeded. She and Andrew settled in Saugus, and would have four daughters whom she raised with great care, love and kindness.
Ginny was a compassionate, caring, and kind-hearted woman. She never raised her voice, never said a bad word about anyone, and could find the good in everyone. She was honest, gentle, and exuded a humble nature that many people were drawn to. A natural matriarch, she welcomed all new additions to the family. With her easy going nature, she quietly set an example of how to have strong morals, and good family values. Ginny was an observer, she never asked for anything, and was easy to please.
Wherever she lived, Ginny kept her faith close to her heart, and was always involved in her church. While raising her family in Saugus, much of life centered around the Center Methodist Church. She played the organ every Sunday for many years, participated in many Church fairs, rummage sales, and made many longtime friends. Later in life, she attended the North Reading Union Congregational Church, and was very proud of her weekly volunteer work at Winchester Hospital, where she made many dear friends.
After Andrew retired, they enjoyed 11 comfortable years living in Brooksville, Florida for the winter and on Square Pond in Shapleigh, Maine for the summer. She was an avid traveler who enjoyed trips to Alaska, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Arizona, Seattle, and Antigua.
In her free time, she enjoyed knitting, making prayer shawls, crafts, Cheerio treats, baking her famous apple and blueberry pies, caring of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and always finishing the cross word puzzles, no matter what. She will be remembered for her deep devotion to her family, especially the love of her life, Andrew.
Ginny will be sorely missed, but her kindness and love will live on in the hearts of her family.
Ginny was the beloved wife of the late Andrew P. Sorenson with whom she shared 48 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Virginia “Ginny” Bearson and her husband Gary of Sammamish, WA, Patty Adams and her husband George of Shapleigh, ME, Sandy Goddard and her husband Larry of Waterboro, ME, and Linda Flynn and her husband Bill of Stoneham. She was the cherished grandmother or “Lovebug” to Marianne Mullin, Gregory Bearson, Jennifer Rodi, Ryan Adams, Lauren Adams, Allison Galluzzo, Leigh Ferrante, Kerry Tully, Billy Flynn, Meghan Douglas, Melissa Flynn and Kristin Flynn. Also survived by 17 cherished great-grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to gather in honor and remembrance of Ginny’s life at the North Reading Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill St., North Reading on Tuesday, July 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Gifts in Ginny’s memory may be made to the Sawtelle Family Hospice House, c/o VNA of Middlesex-East, 607 North Ave., Ste. 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.
For directions or online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com
