The angels in Heaven are celebrating a new arrival at the passing of Lucy Sorenson Pape, October 19, 2021. Lucy was born January 17, 1931 in Newport News, Virginia to Lloyd Raymond “Sorry” Sorenson, Jr. and Lucy Helena Ankers Sorenson. She graduated from the prestigious Fairfax Hall School for Girls in Waynesboro, Virginia in 1947, from the College of William and Mary with a B.S. in Biology in 1951 and from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in 1953 with a Masters in Psychology. In 1956, she married Dr. Frank L. Pape, Jr. and remained in Newport News until her death from COVID-19 this week.
Luke 10:27 says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Lucy didn’t just talk the Christian talk, she walked the Christian walk seeking to love and serve both God and her neighbors all her life. From her active participation in various circles at First Presbyterian Church and then later at Menchville Presbyterian, to teaching her bevy of nieces and nephews about Christ, to generously contributing to innumerable charities including CBN’s medical and clean water ministries, to countless anonymous donations made to individuals in need, Lucy provided a great example to all of us on loving both God and her neighbors.
A lifelong resident of Newport News, Lucy loved her city and its history as well. A favorite memory was when in 1942, she helped christen LST 393, a vessel designed and built at Newport News Shipbuilding, and which transported more than 9,000 troops with machinery into service on the shores of Normandy on D-Day. Remarkably, she kept the beribboned neck of the champagne bottle that launched the ship for 75 years, and in 2019, donated that same bottle neck and ribbon as a birthday present to the ship which has since been made into a museum located in Muskeegun, Michigan. The museum organizers were ecstatic about the donation and included Lucy in many of the festivities at the opening of the museum. A new ribbon used to christen the museum now sits among Lucy’s most treasured mementos.
Lucy loved her country! A flag was always flying at the Pape house, and she never once missed voting in an election. In fact, she voted early in this year’s gubnatorial election, just to make sure she didn’t miss out! Those who met Lucy, loved her, as she did them. Her infectious laughter and wry sense of humor will be missed by many.
Lucy is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Frank L. Pape, Jr., her mother, Lucy Helena Ankers Sorenson, her father, Lloyd Raymond “Sorry” Sorenson, Jr., her step-mother, Winnifred Reiser “Winnie” Sorenson, her brother Lloyd Raymond “Sonny” Sorenson, III, her sister, Sylvia Sorenson Pape, and her great nephew, Michael Ryan Branisa. She continues in the hearts and minds of her remaining family; sister-in-law, Mary Dick Sorenson of Newport News, VA; cousin, Joseph “Joey” Pape (Nancy) of Richmond and Smithfield, VA; double nieces, Diane Pape Reed (David) of Fairfax, VA and Susan Pape Branisa (Michael) of Houston, Texas; nephews, Lloyd Raymond “Skip” Sorenson IV (Yvonne) of Marco Island, FL and William “Bill” Sorenson (Julie) of Jacksonville, FL; nieces, Ruth Sorenson Greene of Carrollton, VA and Lucy Sorenson Gore (Scott) of Gilbert, AZ; five great nieces; nine great nephews; and one great, great nephew.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Riverside Medical Center’s 5th floor COVID ward and especially Nurse Practitioner, Jenny, for all their love and care during Lucy’s final days. God bless each and every one of you! Visitation will be held Friday, October 22, 2021 from 6:00pm - 7:00pm at Little’s Funeral Home in Smithfield, Virginia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, October 23, 2021 at 2:00pm also at Little’s Funeral Home with internment immediately following at Historic St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Smithfield, Virginia. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite Christian charity. Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.
Friday, October 22, 2021
6:00 - 7:00 pm (Eastern time)
Little's Funeral Home and Cremation Service
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Little's Funeral Home and Cremation Service
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