A Life Lived Fully: Remembering Minnie M. Sorell

It's with a heavy heart, you could say, that we share the news of Minnie M. Sorell's passing. She left us on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the age of 81, leaving behind a profound emptiness in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. A long-time resident of Laconia, and before that, Belmont, Minnie was, in truth, a pillar in her community and a beacon for her family.

Born into the cold New Hampshire winter on January 12, 1943, right there in Belmont, Minnie was the daughter of Herbert G. "Shorty" Merrill and Minnie M. (Sanborn) Merrill. She carried her parents' legacy forward, shaping her own path with resilience and grace. And yes, she was a proud graduate of Belmont High School, Class of '61 — a time many remember fondly, I'm sure.

Her working life saw her contribute to the State of New Hampshire, first with the Division of Motor Vehicles and then, later, at Pease Air Force Base. But life, as it often does, called her elsewhere for a spell. Minnie eventually moved south, down to Florida, where she continued her dedicated service at Gulf Coast Medical Center. It's funny, isn't it, how sometimes we wander, only to find ourselves drawn back home?

And drawn back she was. In 2012, Minnie made the heartfelt decision to return to Laconia, yearning to be closer to her beloved family. It was here, back in the Lakes Region, that she truly embraced the joys of life: the quiet camaraderie of camping trips, the meticulous pleasure of crafting, losing herself in a good book, or the challenge of a jigsaw puzzle. Oh, and you can bet she rarely missed an episode of Jeopardy! — a true testament to her sharp mind and playful spirit.

Family, though, was always Minnie's north star. She deeply cherished her children: Pamela J. Fecteau and her husband Kenneth of Tilton, and Paul A. Sorell and his wife Jennifer of Laconia. Her grandchildren — Amanda, Kyle, Zachary, and Allison — were a source of immense pride and joy. And then came the great-grandchildren: Tyler, Aubrey, and Oliver, who, in their innocent way, added yet another layer of love to her already rich life. She also leaves behind her brother, Arthur Merrill of Belmont, along with many nieces and nephews who will surely miss her dearly. Minnie was predeceased by her parents, her dear husband Roland A. Sorell, and her sister, Mary E. Merrill — a reminder that love, though eternal, often comes with the bittersweet ache of farewells.

She was, you might recall, a dedicated member of the American Legion Post 49 Auxiliary, always ready to lend a hand and serve her community. Her absence will undoubtedly be felt there, just as it will be in the quiet corners of homes she brightened.

Friends and family are invited to honor Minnie's memory during calling hours on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services. A graveside service, a final goodbye under the open sky, will be held on Thursday, June 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Union Cemetery in Laconia. For those wishing to make a gesture in her name, contributions to the American Heart Association would be a thoughtful tribute. Minnie M. Sorell lived a life rich in love, laughter, and quiet dedication, and her memory, undoubtedly, will continue to inspire us all.