Ann V. Sorenson, 79,
who was a member of the NMH faculty from 1969 to 1988, first as a religious studies teacher and later as director of the NMH Outreach Program, died at her home in York Harbor, ME, on April 8, 2011, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Born on December 30, 1931, in Lancaster, OH, Ann was the older of two children. Ann earned her undergraduate degree from Sweet Briar College in 1953 and a BD from Union Theological Seminary in 1957. Ann met her husband, John, in graduate school, and she spent the early years of their marriage as a minister’s wife in Panama and NJ. They had two children, Marael (Mary) and John. Subsequently, the Sorensons separated and Ann arrived at NMH in 1969 with her children and became a member of the faculty in the religious studies department. In the early 1970s, she became the first director of the school’s Outreach Program, placing students in
William R. Hillenbrand,
61, who taught English at NMH from 1976 to 1994, passed away on May 5, 2011, in MacClenny, FL. Born in Syracuse, NY, on December 6, 1949, Bill was one of seven children. He earned his undergraduate degree from the SUNY at Cortland in 1973, and obtained a master’s in English from Penn State in 1976. An outstanding high school athlete in football, track, and gymnastics, Bill continued with gymnastics in college. In 1976, Bill, his first wife, Cathy, and daughter Sarah arrived at NMH. He became a member of the faculty in the English department. Colleague John Clark said: “I consider him to be one of the best teachers in the department.” Bill was appointed writing coordinator at the end of
community service programs and offcampus apprenticeships. A lifelong social activist, Ann was known for her antinuclear activities and her commitment to the peace movement. Former NMH chaplain Ginny Brooks recalls: “Ann especially admired the biblical prophets for ‘speaking truth to power,’ so it is no surprise that her own efforts on behalf of social justice mirrored their persistence and courage.” Ann set an example for students and colleagues alike by refusing to put aside her beliefs even when the threat of arrest and confinement in jail arose. Retired science teacher Alice Kells said that Ann became one of her first friends when she arrived at NMH in 1970. In recent years the two enjoyed meeting at Tanglewood for open rehearsals of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Alice remembered: “She was an antinuclear activist and would often picket near train junctions when one carrying nuclear material was to pass. I believe that she got jailed at least once.” A message from former
chaplain Ron Evans and his wife, Janet, read: “Ann was passionate about social justice and sought to unite her religious faith with her response to the world’s injustices.” Ann retired from the school in 1988 and then lived in IN, OH, and TX, where she focused on AIDS ministry, offering comfort and support to terminal AIDS patients at a time when the rest of society shunned them. She also continued to speak out in support of the peace and antinuclear movements. Ann moved back to MA in 2001 to be near her children. In 2007, she moved to the Sentry Hill retirement community in York Harbor, ME, as her struggle with Alzheimer’s began. Ann is survived by daughter Marael (Mary) Sorenson ’79 and son John Mark Sorenson ’83, two grandchildren, two greatgrandchildren, and her brother and his family. Memorial donations in Ann’s name may be made to Beacon Hospice Inc., 42 Brickyard Ct., York, ME 03909. w
the 1983–84 school year and threw himself into developing new ways for all faculty to work together to improve the quality of student writing. He served in this capacity for two years and then coordinated writing workshops for new students each fall, in addition to teaching both regular and AP classes. He also coached gymnastics, football, and baseball. Other special interests included training championship hunting dogs. Chuck Hamilton wrote: “Bill was one of my favorite people. His mind was quick, his sense of humor lively. He managed to be a scholar while also being a teacher and an outdoorsman, a hunter, a trainer of dogs, a good friend with some who hated firearms and the Yankees. He managed everything with such naturalness that one never wondered
how he managed to do it all.” Jim Block said that, in addition to having a keen analytical mind, Bill met another of the important criteria for a boarding school teacher: “He had the background and capacity to teach in college but chose to teach in a school.” Bill left NMH in 1994 and took a position in the English department at the Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL. He was working there at the time of his death. He is survived by daughters Sarah Hillenbrand Malloy ’95, Emily Hillenbrand ’96, and Rebecca Hillenbrand Flemer; his wife, Marti; three brothers; and three sisters. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the Bolles Scholarship Fund, 7400 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217. w Fall | 2011 CLASS NOTES 95