Margaret P. Sorenson

Margaret (“Megs”) Sorenson devoted her life to caring for family and friends and serving the Lord.  Harry Sorenson was a Naval Aviator who swept Megs off her feet at a dance in Oakland.  They married in February 1945.  They celebrated 65 years of marriage, and within the month, Harry entered Glory, in February 2010.  Now, they dance with Jesus.

Harry and Megs chose Calistoga, California after Harry had served 31 years in the Navy, which means Megs had served 31 years as a Navy wife.  Megs’ Calistoga years numbered 46.  Harry and Megs helped start Highlands Christian Fellowship.

Many friends helped Megs with her gardening, brought her plants and flowers, helped her walk her beloved shih tzu Molly, and gave her rides to prayer group and to church, to medical appointments and to physical therapy.  Many friends shared meals with Megs.  How she loved the senior luncheons with the singing of hymns!  Megs’ family thanks you all for helping her stay in her home, the adobe brick home she helped her husband design and build.  It was tough to give up line dancing, it was tough to give up tennis, it was tough to give up driving.  It was tough to experience the evacuations from the 2017 fires and the horrible damage suffered by so many friends and neighbors, in those fires and since.  Megs kept her cheerful reliance on the Lord.  So many friends and neighbors helped her.  She never gave up praying for others, gardening, taking care of Molly, doing some cooking, cleaning up the kitchen, or Bible study.  Our beloved Megs was born in Kennewick, Washington on June 6, 1922, the daughter of a carpenter, Will Hayes, and a schoolteacher, Nellie Funk Hayes, who had 6 children, 5 girls and a boy.  Megs went to be with the Lord on May 13, 2019, at 96 years of age.  Megs meant so much to all of us; she was best friend to many and loved and missed by even more.

Before Calistoga, Megs supported Harry’s 31 years as a pilot in the U.S. Navy.  During their Navy years they lived in California, Guam, Bermuda, Hawaii, Virginia, Texas, Ohio, Florida and Nebraska, and they reared four children.

Megs was a gracious hostess.  She was unique, caring, very pretty, funny, independent, and very strong.  Family gatherings were always a source of great joy - - Megs was in the kitchen.  “Divine service will be conducted here three times daily” says the sign above Ruth Graham’s sink.  Megs could have had such a sign.

Megs is survived by daughters Jill Clifton and Jackie Hall; sons John Sorenson and Jerry Sorenson; son-in-law Gary Hall; daughters-in-law Karen Sorenson and Kathy Sorenson; 10 grandchildren (Krista, Charity, Faith, Christopher, Monica, Elizabeth, David, Evan, Miriam and Micah); 2 husbands of grandchildren (Ryan, Benji); 2 wives of grandchildren (Morgan, Nicole); 8 great-grandchildren (Liana, Kaia, Skyler, Merrie, Emma, Kirsten, Jack, Ava); and wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins, and their families.  Megs was preceded in death by her parents Will and Nellie, her sisters and brother, her husband Harry, and her grandson Noah.

One of Megs’ greatest joys was knowing her children and grandchildren were trusting Christ. Megs’ family shares our certainty that Megs is at Home with the Lord and invites you to a memorial service - - a celebration of Megs’ life - - to be held on Friday, May 31, at 1:00 pm, at Highlands Christian Fellowship, 970 Petrified Forest Rd., Calistoga, CA 94515.  Please join us.

Charitable contributions in remembrance of Megs may be given to Highlands Christian Fellowship, mailed to the address above or online at highlandscf.org.