Ann Vlerebome Sorenson

SORENSON Ann Vlerebome Sorenson, 79, died Friday, April 8, 2011 at her residence at Sentry Hill in York Harbor, Maine. She was born on December 30, 1931 in Lancaster Ohio, the daughter of Arthur and Mary Kathryn Vlerebome. Ann grew up in Lancaster with her younger brother Allan. She later graduated from Columbus School for Girls and Sweet Briar College, class of 1953. At the age of 17 she felt called to serve Christ and began following a lifelong path of service. She earned her Master's of Divinity from Union Seminary in New York City in 1955. While married to her former husband, John H. Sorenson, Ann began a family as a minister's wife in Panama and New Jersey. In 1969, as a single parent she joined the faculty at Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA as a teacher of Religious Studies. Later she became the department chair of the Outreach Program and placed students in community service and practical apprenticeship positions. She enjoyed a sabbatical visiting many of America's National Parks. After nearly 20 years with NMH School, Ann Retired in 1988. In her early years of retirement she lived in Indiana, Ohio, and Texas. Ann revered human life and nature. For several years Ann focused her attention with AIDS Ministry, offering comfort and support to terminal AIDS patients early on when nearly all of society shunned them. She was also an outspoken peace activist, doing her best to educate people about the same nuclear dangers headlining today's news. In 2001 Ann Sorenson moved back to Massachusetts to be closer to her children Marael (Mary) and Mark. In 2007 she moved to Sentry Hill in York Harbor, Maine as her struggle with Alzheimer's began. Mark and his wife and Marael were able to offer help to Ann with her everyday life challenges while she resided in York over the past five years. Ann is survived by her daughter, Marael Sorenson; son, Mark and his wife, Katie Sorenson. Ann's grandchildren include Eric Fernald and his wife, Keri, as well as Ryan Fernald and his wife, Dawn. Ann's great-grandsons are Soren and Django Fernald. Ann is also survived by her brother, Allan Vlerebome and his wife, Marty. She felt close to their children, Kathy Kittredge, and her son, Michael, Peter Vlerebome and his wife, Tina and their sons, Conner, Cramer and Crew. Calling hours for Ann will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, April 11 in LUCAS & EATON FUNERAL HOME, 91 Long Sands Road, York Maine. Immediately after visitation hours, family and friends are invited to Mark and Katie's home in York Harbor, ME. A private family burial will be held in May at the First Parish Cemetery in York and an informal ceremony is being planned at NMH School. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Ann's name to Beacon Hospice Inc., 42 Brickyard Court, York, ME 03909, www.beaconhospice.com