Celebration of Life for Mary Theresa Sorensen
Please join us at the Etowah River Park Amphitheatre to celebrate the life of Mary Theresa Sorensen and enjoy the sunset together by the river she loved.
Mary lived with an adventurous spirit and an extraordinary love for the world around her. She was a wife, a mom, an Oma, a sister, an aunt, and a friend, someone who embraced life wholeheartedly, found beauty in the simplest moments, and encouraged others to do the same. She believed that joy was something we could choose, even when life was difficult.
As an environmental toxicology principal at Ramboll, Mary spent her career helping communities clean up, restore, and recover from some of the biggest environmental disasters. She was also a proud member of the Upper Etowah River Alliance. Her love for the Earth wasn’t simply an interest; it was part of how she lived and how she believed we should care for one another and the places we call home.
Mary was lost on August 26, 2026, during devastating flooding in Nepal while hiking toward Mount Kailash, doing what she loved most: embracing adventure and experiencing the beauty of our world. Although her life ended far too soon, the way she lived continues to inspire us.
“There is joy in every day, in every moment of life, and in every person. It is up to us to find it.”
— Mary Sorensen
What to Bring
This is a celebration, just as Mary would have wanted. Please:
- Bring your own lawn chair
- Wear casual clothes in bright colors
In Lieu of Flowers
The family invites donations to the Mary Sorensen Environmental Love Scholarship Fund, created in partnership with the Upper Etowah River Alliance. The fund’s goal is a permanent scholarship for students pursuing environmental science, conservation, sustainability, or related fields. It is meant for students who see the beauty in the world around them and who not only want to protect the Earth but genuinely love being a part of it.
Every donation, no matter the size, brings the family closer to a scholarship that will keep Mary’s spirit alive for generations.
Let her life bring more life, color, and joy to the world.