Dina Sorensen

Haroldine “Dina" Sorensen, 93, of Rockford, Illinois, beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones, on Sunday, March 26, 2023, after a long illness.

Dina was the daughter of Myrtle (Swanlund) and Harold Sorensen, and grew up in Cherry Valley, Illinois.  Mother of five, grandmother of six, great-grandmother of four, Dina is survived by her children, Brad, Maggie, Martha, Barbra and Alison (Scott); her grandchildren, Amanda, Abby (Russ), Bradley (Lindsay), Jenna, Maya and Ava; her great-grandchildren, Russell, Sawyer, Reese and Gwen, and many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins.  She is predeceased by her siblings, Richard Sorensen, Alyce Bernard, Farrand Sorensen, Joyce Hradsky and Lorraine Sahs. 

Dina attended Rockford East High School and Lake Michigan College.  She loved being a mother to her five children, more than anything, and later enjoyed working outside the home for many years in academic administration.  Dina was very proud of her family and Scandinavian ancestry; she enjoyed many reunions with extended family in Kenosha and Burlington, as well as family trips to one of her favorite places, Door County, Wisconsin.  To honor her family legacy, Dina created an extraordinary family tree; her organizational talent and immaculate attention to detail enabled her to enjoy working on genealogy research throughout her life.  She aspired to write a book about her family history, which she was working on when she became ill.  Dina was a talented writer, sensitive soul and keen observer ~ she loved writing letters, short stories and essays.  She enjoyed spirited conversations and political debates; she was very proud of the fact that she never missed an opportunity to vote, in person, for 72 consecutive years.  Dina had a wonderful sense of humor and her perceptive, witty storytelling will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew her.

Music was a very important element in Dina’s life; she was a gifted pianist from the early age of five, performing in her high school orchestra and many recitals.  Dina also received immense joy from her cherished book collection ~ she was a lifelong, voracious reader up until a few months before she passed, and a proud supporter of the Cherry Valley Public Library.  

In addition to her many interests, Dina was an activist, nature lover and passionate supporter of many animal rights and environmental causes.  She adored her beloved Bichon companions, Jordan and Astro, who predeceased her.  A true midwesterner, Dina loved winter and the changing seasons; one of her favorite quotes was, “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth” ~ Henry David Thoreau. 

Dina’s family wishes a heartfelt thank you to the caring staff of Northern Illinois Unity Hospice and Palliative Care for their kind assistance and support in recent months, as well as all the wonderful doctors and nurses of Swedish American Hospital, who cared for Dina during her long illness. 

Dina will be deeply missed, but the joy of her memory will live in our hearts forever  ~ Dina's favorite word was "Joy" ~ please think of her when you hear or see the word "Joy" ~  “The soul never dies ~ while she once lived amongst us, she will now live within us.” 

In accordance with Dina’s wishes, no public memorial will be held ~ celebrations of life should be personal and private.  Family or friends wishing to honor Dina’s life should make memorial contributions to any of the following organizations or plant a tree in her memory.  

Cherry Valley Public Library, c/o Cherry Valley Public Library Charitable Foundation: https://www.cherryvalleylib.org/wpcherryvalley/get-involved/donate/

Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, Rockford, Illinois:  http://www.noahsarkanimals.org/

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