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In memory of

Judith "Judy" Ann Sorenson

Arcadia, FL, USA

July 5, 1947 - April 3, 2021

Jul 5, 1947 - Apr 3, 2021

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We regretfully announce the passing of Judith "Judy" Ann Sorenson of Arcadia, Florida on April 3, 2021. This was unexpected and the family is deeply saddened.

Our mother, Judy Sorenson, moved to Desoto County with her new husband and her 3 children, from a previous marriage, in 1976. Her life began on July 5, 1947 in Kentucky. She was the oldest of three with a sister named Janis then a little brother named Frank Jr " Junebug". Her mother was a bartender and father was a coal miner which made her a "Coal Miner's Daughter".

With only a sixth grade education she dropped out of school to work at a sewing factory to help support the family.

A few years later she met our father Grady Lee Owen. After getting married and moving to Detroit, Michigan she gave birth to their son. Over the next couple years they moved to Barnwell, South Carolina. Where myself, Lena, and little sister were born. A few years later they were divorced. So she moved to Florida to start a new life.

In 1973 she met her future husband Jim Sorenson, the Sarasota fire chief, in Mrs O'Leary's Lounge, where she was employed as a bartender. Later that year they were married at the Siesta Key Fire Department and road off on a fire truck with a sign" Just Married" on the back with tin cans dragging behind them.

Shortly after moving to Arcadia, she took a part time job at The Hitching Post which was a local pub. Until Central Maloney, a transformer plant, hired her full time. She stayed with them until they closed the doors. So, she decided to go to night school and achieved her G E D. Then, she began work for Walmart where she was proudly employed about 28 years till she retired a few years ago to help care for her husband.

She was an incredible mother and an even better grandmother. In fact, after her grandkids came along she adopted the name Gram. Eventually everyone called her Gram – even kids that weren't hers.

With an outstanding sense of humor, she loved to laugh. Although she was a homebody, eating out once a week and shopping made her heart happy. While at her home in Arcadia, you could find her lounging in her bedroom watching horror films, crocheting, smoking cigarettes, and drinking Diet Coke.

Gram had a passion for making others happy with her many creations. From crocheting to handmade gifts, she had an eye for crafting something one-of-a-kind.

Christmas was the joy of her life. She spent the entire year collecting Christmas gifts and preparing for the holiday of the year. She quickly became known as Mrs. Claus after gifting crocheted pins and making gifts to her coworkers at Walmart and even her doctors and nurses. Everyone looked forward to seeing what she would come up with next.

You would even find Gram sending gifts to distant relatives and families of coworkers who didn't have much. Better thought of as Mother Christmas, she never left a soul out of her generosity. She made it her personal mission to ensure everyone in her path had a happy Christmas. This also reflecting in our full-family Christmas parties we held every year for 30+ years. That was when she was at her happiest.

Her husband, Jim "Papa", passed away on November 2, 2019. Loving him for nearly 50 years broke her heart and she never recovered from losing him. She will forever be known as a beautiful, caring, and crafty woman. A perfect definition of a mother and grandmother. She gave us decades of memories that have shaped our lives for the better. We will never be able to fill the space left behind by her.

Everyone that knew Gram loved her. She was so kind and nice to everyone she ever knew. I just cant say enough about how awesome our mother/ grandmother was.

Judy was predeceased by her husband James Sorenson, father Frank Cooper Sr, mother Carol English, sister Janis Parker and grandson Jerry Alley Jr.

Survivors include brother Frank Cooper Jr., son Chelchie Lee Owen, daughters Lena Rottger and Teresa Kerth. Also surviving are grandchildren Christopher Rottger, Marvin Alley, Joyce Santos, Nickolas Owens and Kyle Kerth. Plus, nieces, nephews, and great grandchildren.

A memorial will be held on May 16, 2021 in Gardner, Florida at 10 a.m. by the water where she wished to be at rest. MASKS ARE REQUIRED.

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