Margaret A. Sorensen

MARGARET A. SORENSEN
Margaret A. Sorensen, 94, formerly of New Cumberland, died on Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Bethany Village in Mechanicsburg, PA. She was born in Steelton, PA on March 7, 1920, the younger daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Koltai) Osvatics. After graduating from John Harris High School, Margaret worked as a stenographer for Pennsylvania Department of Highways. During World War II she served as a volunteer coordinator for the weekly USO dances and open houses held for the service men who were stationed in the Harrisburg area. At one of these dances, she met her future husband Leonard Sorensen. They married in January 1945 and after the war moved to Elmhurst, Illinois, later returning to the Harrisburg area.

After her marriage, Margaret was a homemaker raising two children. When her children were young she was a Girl Scout leader, a Sunday school teacher and an active participant with the Storytelling League. Beginning in early 1950 Margaret was instrumental in helping her husband establish and grow both the Highland Superette and later Highland Gardens, the family businesses in Camp Hill. When she returned to the workforce she was first employed by the California Test Bureau and then The Patriot News. In later years she enjoyed oil painting, completing crossword puzzles, and stayed actively involved in many community organizations including Eastern Star and the Women’s Club of New Cumberland. She volunteered to help at the polls during election time and was a faithful and dedicated member of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Camp Hill where she was involved in many services to her community and in sponsorship of a displaced family from Vietnam. She will be remembered as a bright, articulate woman with a warm and gentle kindness toward everyone she knew.

Margaret was the widow of Leonard Sorensen who died last July. Her surviving family includes her sister Gazella Whisler of Fredericksburg, VA; daughter Nila S. Hill (Douglas) of Elkton, MD; son Larry W. Sorensen of New Cumberland, PA (companion Suzanne Mayer of Camp Hill, PA). Margaret was grandmother to Alexander Hill (Kari); Lauren Hill; and Whitney Sorensen. She is also survived by her two great granddaughters, Allyson and Caitlin Hill; one cousin, Edna Szmodis; two nieces and two nephews.

A memorial service and reception to celebrate Margaret's life will be held on Saturday, March 7 (her 95th birthday) at 12 noon in the Community Room at Bethany East, 325 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. Directions: At the traffic light at 325 Wesley Drive, turn into Bethany East. The entrance to the Community Room is straight ahead via an awning covered walkway labeled Bethany Court. Visitor parking is immediately to the left along N. Bethany Drive. A second (covered drive through) entrance to the Community Room and additional parking are available to the right of the main entrance along Wesley Circle.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial contributions be made to either Grace Lutheran Church, 1610 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011 or to the donor's charity of choice. For more information and to send condolences please visit www.Parthemore.com.