Theresa Ann (Annie) Sorley, age 66, passed away on August 6, 2011 in Miles City, MT after a long fight with cancer.
She was born in Sheridan, WY on June 19, 1945, the daughter of Wilbert Clarence and Willma (Lynde) Sorger. Annie attended schools in Lodge Grass, Mt; Anchorage, AK; Seattle, WA and Wolf Point, MT. She married John Sorley on November 2, 1962 at Bethel Lutheran Church in Wahpeton, ND. Annie and John farmed in McCone County for 48 years. Annie was a member of the First Lutheran Church, participating in Peace Circle and the Quilters and Knitters group. She also spent many years volunteering as a McCone County 4H leader. Annie enjoyed her friends and family – her grandchildren brought her special joy. She had a great sense of humor and always appreciated a little practical joke.
Over the past 25 years Annie faced and overcame many medical challenges. In October 2000 she received the gift of life after a successful heart transplant operation at the University Of Washington Medical Center. She used this experience to encourage and inspire other transplant patients and their families and to advocate for organ donation. She was notorious for her ability to always make light of a not so great situation and her never ending care and concern of others.
She is survived by her three children: Tim (Karen) Sorley of Wolf Point, MT; Dan (Lea) Sorley of Union, WA and Carmen (Mark) Tompkins of Friday Harbor, WA; her grandchildren: Sadie and Ethan Sorley, Ali Sorley, and Austin and Jared Tompkins; her sisters: Rita (Pat) O’Connor of Miles City, MT, Delores (Chris) Evans of Wolf Point, MT and Jeanne Selvy of Philomath, OR; sister-in-laws: Paula Bowler of Hardin, MT and Mary Ann Adkins of Nashua, MT; one aunt Sister Mary Anthony of the Monastery of the Angels in Los Angeles, CA; numerous nieces and nephews, and her special pet dog, Daisy. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband John, her brother Bill, and step-mother Eleanor Sorger.
Visitation will begin on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Clayton-Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, MT. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, August 10, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Wolf Point, MT. Burial will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery. Should friends desire, memorials may be made to www.donatelife.net to support organ donation; www.holyrosaryhealthcare.org to support hospice care; or to the charity of one’s choice. Clayton-Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.claytonstevensonchapel.com. A special thanks to Holy Rosary Hospice, the University of Washington and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance for her special care.