Mary Ann Sorensen

 Mary Ann was born on January 4, 1936, in Alton, Iowa, to Henry and Callista Pottebaum. As a young child, she moved with her family to Flandreau, South Dakota. 

 After graduation from high school, Mary Ann pursued her calling in nursing, a profession that reflected her natural compassion and devotion to helping others. On June 7, 1958, she married Michael John Sorensen. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised four children.  She lived a full and adventurous life, raising her children while moving from Minnesota to Hawaii to London and everywhere in between, finally landing in Atlanta. While continuing nursing, she went back to school at Georgia State University. She received a master’s degree in Human Resources, allowing her move into administration.

 After Mike passed at age 59, she retired from her job as the head of Human Resources at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta and moved back to her tiny South Dakota hometown of Flandreau. There she bought a large home and ran a Bed and Breakfast for seven years.  After twenty years of living up North, she finally moved back to Atlanta to live near her kids.

 Mary Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She had a gift for making people feel cared for, welcomed, and loved. Her life was marked by service, accomplishment, and an unwavering commitment to her family and community. Yet alongside her grace and strength was a wonderful sense of humor—a mischievous spark and quick wit that brought laughter and joy to those around her. Mary Ann loved life, she twice survived cancer, loved travelling and loved playing bridge.

 She leaves behind a legacy of love, service, family, and friendship that will continue through the generations. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Mary Ann is survived by her four children:  Chris Sorensen (Laurie), Kathy Cornelius (Steve), Debra Thacker (Tracy), and Tom Sorensen (Heather).  She was a beloved grandmother to Audrey Tiblier (Tyler), Cameron and Grace Thacker, and Alex and Zoe Sorensen.  She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren, Tate and Lainey Tiblier. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St. Vincent de Paul-https://sta.org/ministry/st-vincent-de-paul-society/

Services will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 535 Rucker Rd, Alpharetta, GA, on August 29th at 1 pm.