Helen Frances Sorensen, 86, of Charleston, SC, widow of Edwin Sorensen, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. Her memorial service will be held at North Charleston United Methodist Church on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 1pm. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel.
Helen was born February 18, 1935 in New Brunswick, NJ, daughter of the late William Robert Eels and the late Alma Blizzard Eels. She grew up on Long Island, NY with her late brother W. Robert Eels.
Helen graduated from Columbia University in 1956 with a B.S. in Dental Hygiene. She married Edwin Harold Sorensen on June 21, 1957, and were married for 59 years. Together they lived in France, San Diego, and then settled in Northport, NY.
In Northport, Helen enjoyed choir and handbells at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, participating as a member of The Garden Club, as well as supporting many environmental groups.
Her love for her family was evident through documenting family occasions, organizing pictures, and scrapbooking.
After retirement, Helen and Ed split their time between Albany, NY and Charleston, SC, eventually settling full time in Charleston.
In Charleston, Helen served as a docent at The Preservation Society of Charleston, participating in the Charleston Garden Club, and singing with the choir at North Charleston United Methodist Church. She was interested in ecology and conservation and enjoyed sailing, downhill skiing, travel, crafts and the arts.
She is survived by four children: Leah McNellis (Ed) of Charleston, SC; Kirsten Romanzo (Ed) of Niskayuna, NY; Jeanine Witkowski (Joe) of San Diego, CA; and Aaron Sorensen (Jennifer) of Oneonta, NY; and ten grandchildren: Douglas, Shannon and Zachary McNellis, Natalia and Eddie Romanzo (Lisa), Kathleen Ketsef (Yoni), Joey and Amanda Witkowski, Dylan and Tyler Sorensen.
Memorial donations may be made to: North Charleston United Methodist Church, or The Nature Conservancy.