BIOGRAPHY

Sorenson was born in Gifford, Schenectady County, New York, USA, on 26 November 1881, to parents Christopher Hart (1845–1930) and Elizabeth Kaley (1846–1927). She had four brothers: John (1869–1943), Melvin, Christopher, and Emerson. As a child, she was helping her brothers with chores such as raking hay. At the age of 14, she left the family farm after deciding that farm life was too difficult for her. She began by washing dishes in her aunt’s boarding house in Schenectady and later worked as a seamstress.

In 1904, she married a Norwegian immigrant, Carl Sorenson (1867–1941). The couple had two children: Edward E. Sorenson (1905–1999) and Elizabeth Clare Carruthers (1914–2009).

In 1969, in her late 80’s, she moved into her daughter’s home in South Burlington. Sorenson never had a medical problem until she was 98, when she fell out of bed and suffered cuts.

At the age of 108, her hearing had deteriorated, and her eyesight was poor; however, she remained quick in providing answers to questions that were conveyed to her in a loud voice. It was reported that she showed no signs of senility. Her son attributed her longevity to the fact that she never drank alcohol or smoked cigarettes. She commented, “The Lord’s been good to me.” In 1990, she moved to Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester. On her 111th birthday, she commented, “I don’t know why I’m here after my brothers and everybody else is gone, but I can’t be dissatisfied when God decides to leave me.”

Sorenson passed away at Green Mountain Nursing Home in Colchester, Vermont, USA, at 12:15 PM on 27 July 1995, at the age of 113 years, 243 days. She was survived by her two children, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

In November 1991, she celebrated her 110th birthday, becoming the third supercentenarian in the U.S. state of Vermont, after Florence Brownell and Gertrude Croker.

On 26 November 1994, following the passing of 113-year-old Gertrude Croker, she became the oldest living person in Vermont.

On 13 April 1995, at the age of 113 years, 138 days, she surpassed Croker’s final age, becoming the oldest person to have ever lived in Vermont. Her record is yet to be surpassed.

On 29 June 1995, at the age of 113 years, 215 days, she surpassed the final age of Delina Filkins (1815–1928), becoming the oldest person ever born in the U.S. state of New York. She held the title until 21 September 2002, when Mae Harrington (1889–2002) surpassed her final age.

ATTRIBUTION

* Mary Anna Hart Sorenson – Find A Grave

* “S. Burlington woman going strong at 108” – The Burlington Free Press, 27 November 1989

* “After 111 years, she’s still thankful” – The Burlington Free Press, 27 November 1992

* “Another year for Vermont’s oldest resident” – The Burlington Free Press, 2 January 1995

* “Mary A. (Hart) Sorenson” – The Burlington Free Press, 28 July 1995

* “Oldest Vermonter went so peacefully” – The Burlington Free Press, 4 August 1995

GALLERY