Parent-Sorensen Mortuary & Crematory has been in continuous operation since 1856. It has been privately owned and family operated since its inception. Our goal has been to provide professional and caring service to the families in the Sonoma and Marin areas. Community involvement is an important facet of our business, we are involved in Rotary, Kiwanis, The Elks Lodge, Hospice and many other local organizations and clubs.

James M. “Jim” Smith
Born, reared and educated in Petaluma, Jim is a third generation Petaluman. He graduated from St. Vincent High School, attended Santa Rosa Junior College, and graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science.

Jim joined the staff of Parent Funeral Chapel in June of 1973 as a funeral director and embalmer. In 1977 he became a partner along with Martin “Buzz” Rodgers and Arthur W. Parent and in 1981 Jim and Buzz purchased the remaining stock from Mr. Parent.

The following year, Jim and Buzz purchased the Sorensen Funeral Home and merged the businesses to the Parent location. In 1984 they opened a branch in Sebastopol.

As an active member of our community, Jim has served on the Board of Directors of the Petaluma Chamber of Commerce, the Petaluma Educational Foundation Board of Directors and Executive Board. He has also held many positions including Past President and current Financial Secretary of the Petaluma Council #9 Young Men’s Institute, past Board member and Secretary of the San Antonio Volunteer Fire Department, Past President and 30 year member of the Petaluma Kiwanis Club and Past President of the Redwood Empire Funeral Directors Association. Jim is also a member of the Nicasio Parlor #183 Native Sons of the Golden West, Harmony Grove Druids, Petaluma Elks Lodge #901, Sonoma-Marin Italian Club, Italian Catholic Federation, Petaluma Golf and Country Club, Bodega Harbour Golf Club and St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Bodega, CA.

Jim and his wife Jackie have been married for 26 years. Jackie is an elementary school teacher in Windsor, CA. Jim also has a son, Brendan, who is currently a student at Sonoma State University and also a staff member at the mortuary.

E-mail: jsmith@parentsorensen.com

Andrea Rodgers
Born, reared and educated in Petaluma, Andrea graduated from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic High School in 1998. Andrea then attended the Dominican University of California where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in History in 2002.

Andrea began working for the mortuary five years ago while still attending school. After graduating she began working at the mortuary full-time and obtained her Funeral Director’s License in 2003.

Andrea is a second-generation funeral director, following in the footsteps of her father, Martin D. “Buzz” Rodgers, former owner of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary. Upon her father’s retirement, she purchased his share of the mortuary.

Andrea’s personal mission is to comfort and console all in their time of most need. She is thankful for the opportunity to help families honor their loved ones through the most difficult transition of life. She understands the need to celebrate the life lived while feeling sorrow at the same time and can help families find their way through all of their emotions.

E-mail: andrea@parentsorensen.com

James Gotelli
Born, reared and educated in Healdsburg, California, James is a 1989 graduate of Healdsburg High School. James has been employed by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary for over eight years and has been a licensed funeral director for the last five years. James is the managing partner and sees to the day-to-day operations of both facilities.

James feels that giving back to the community is an important facet in this line of work. Being a member of the Petaluma Rotary, the Petaluma Elks Lodge, and the Tomales Druids allows him to accomplish this goal. James is also very active in Petaluma ’s “Every 15 Minutes” program. Being a funeral director also allows him the opportunity to assist families in their time of need by providing compassionate and thoughtful service.

E-mail: james@parentsorensen.com

Christianne Parsons
Born in San Francisco and raised in Petaluma, Chris is a seventh generation Californian. A 1987 graduate of Casa Grande High School, she later attended SRJC. A devoted wife and mother, Chris is involved in 4-H, Tae-Kwondo and Cub Scouts.

Chris joined the staff of Parent-Sorensen Mortuary in January of 2004. She facilitates the creating and filing of death certificates and permits which involves coordinating with doctors, county offices and funeral directors.

Maggie Carlson
Born in Cherbourg, France after WWII, Maggie grew up in a small town in Southern California. The Carlson family moved to Petaluma in 1975 and Maggie became involved in the community. She has been a caregiver, fund raiser, and an active supporter of Hospice of Petaluma for over 20 years. She has been a Funeral Arrangement Counselor for at Parent-Sorensen since 1999.

E-mail: maggie@parentsorensen.com

Brendan James Smith
Brendan is a life long resident of Petaluma. A graduate of St. Vincent de Paul High School, Brendan is currently enrolled at Sonoma State University to receive a degree in history. Brendan has worked at Parent-Sorensen since 1999, helping with the day-to-day operations of the firm. He has proven himself responsible and dedicated to the well-being of the families served by Parent-Sorensen. Brendan’s mission at work is “attention to detail. It’s the smallest component that makes the big plans effective.”

Francisco Sanabria
Born in Mezcala, Jalisco, Mexico, Francisco and his family make Santa Rosa their home.

Francisco has been a Funeral Director's Assistant serving Sonoma County Families with Funeral, Cremation and Cemetery needs since 1980, with specific attention to those families requiring assistance with foreign Consulates in returning their loved ones back to their native lands for burial.

Francisco and his family are attendees of both Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Windsor and Resurrection Parish in Santa Rosa. Gardening and home re-construction projects keep him busy in his spare time.

"Estamos para asistir a las familias hispanas en su propio idioma las 24 horas. Siempre compara los costos-somos dedicados a servirles mejor".

E-mail: francisco@parentsorensen.com