Mariam Sorby
May 1, 1934 – February 4, 2024
Mariam Irma Melchiori Sorby passed away peacefully in Sun City Center, FL, on Feb. 4, 2024. She was born in Stambaugh, MI, on May 1, 1934, to parents, Irene (Sperberg) and William Melchiori. She was always proud of being a “Yooper” (born in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula), and she loved everything about growing up in Iron County. During her teenage years, Mariam worked as a lifeguard in the summer, and she often talked about her figure skating days during UP winters.
Mariam was a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. She graduated as an RN in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. While at the U. of M., Mariam was selected as one of six nursing students to escort Jonas Salk, inventor of the Polio vaccine, during a special tour and lecture at the university. She also was a member of the U. of M. Fencing Club.
Mariam had a varied, 50-year career in nursing, often teaching her passion. She worked at a Michigan State Hospital, a general hospital and many nursing homes, as well as teaching nurse-aide training to hundreds throughout the years. Her longest nursing position was as school nurse for Hastings Area Schools in Hastings, Michigan. She served the entire district, K-12. During her tenure there, Mariam served on many health education committees at the state level, writing health curricula for students across Michigan. She established grade level programs and field trips, some of which are still in place in the Hastings Area Schools.
Mariam was best known for her sincere caring for others. Her kind heart and compassion were gifts she gave to everyone she met! And her love language was food! Throughout the community and her family, people raved about Mariam’s Upper Peninsula pasties, spaghetti sauce and cinnamon rolls. She was a cook extraordinaire!
Mariam was also known for her great sense of humor. She had a joke or story for any situation, and she even had nurses and doctors chuckling right up to the end. She wrote many of the stories about her life to carry her legacy to future generations, and everyone in the family loved to look through her cherished family albums. She started her family history project in 1966, and she worked on it every year, even up to 2023! The history she collected went back for centuries!
Mariam loved to travel and learn about new cultures and customs. In August 2023, she fulfilled her long-time dream of visiting all six continents (except Antarctica) with a trip to Columbia in South America. She often joked that growing up in the UP served as visiting Antarctica! She had many adventures on her travels, including riding a camel in Egypt, an elephant in India, a train across the entire continent of Australia, a ship in the Norwegian fjords, an airboat in the Everglades and a helicopter in Hawaii.
Mariam was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 52 years, Donal Jack Sorby; her parents, Irene and William (Bull) Melchiori; two brothers and their wives, Marvin and Ethlyn Melchiori and Wayne and Adele Melchiori.
Mariam is survived by her three daughters and their families, Carrie Duits (Tom), Sheryl Sorby (Norm Loney) and Claire Coulston (Paul). She has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; her brother, Mark; and countless others who called her grandma, auntie or mum. Her nieces, nephews and cousins all adored her, and they called her often, seeking advice, asking for recipes and sharing their love.
There will be two celebrations of Mariam’s life; one in Sun City Center, FL, on March 22 at 11 a.m. and another in Iron River, MI, on July 2, 2024. Memorial contributions can be made to Hastings Education & Enrichment Foundation; Lifepath Hospice House in Sun City Center, FL; or any other charity of choice.
Mariam was a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. She graduated as an RN in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science in nursing. While at the U. of M., Mariam was selected as one of six nursing students to escort Jonas Salk, inventor of the Polio vaccine, during a special tour and lecture at the university. She also was a member of the U. of M. Fencing Club.
Mariam had a varied, 50-year career in nursing, often teaching her passion. She worked at a Michigan State Hospital, a general hospital and many nursing homes, as well as teaching nurse-aide training to hundreds throughout the years. Her longest nursing position was as school nurse for Hastings Area Schools in Hastings, Michigan. She served the entire district, K-12. During her tenure there, Mariam served on many health education committees at the state level, writing health curricula for students across Michigan. She established grade level programs and field trips, some of which are still in place in the Hastings Area Schools.
Mariam was best known for her sincere caring for others. Her kind heart and compassion were gifts she gave to everyone she met! And her love language was food! Throughout the community and her family, people raved about Mariam’s Upper Peninsula pasties, spaghetti sauce and cinnamon rolls. She was a cook extraordinaire!
Mariam was also known for her great sense of humor. She had a joke or story for any situation, and she even had nurses and doctors chuckling right up to the end. She wrote many of the stories about her life to carry her legacy to future generations, and everyone in the family loved to look through her cherished family albums. She started her family history project in 1966, and she worked on it every year, even up to 2023! The history she collected went back for centuries!
Mariam loved to travel and learn about new cultures and customs. In August 2023, she fulfilled her long-time dream of visiting all six continents (except Antarctica) with a trip to Columbia in South America. She often joked that growing up in the UP served as visiting Antarctica! She had many adventures on her travels, including riding a camel in Egypt, an elephant in India, a train across the entire continent of Australia, a ship in the Norwegian fjords, an airboat in the Everglades and a helicopter in Hawaii.
Mariam was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 52 years, Donal Jack Sorby; her parents, Irene and William (Bull) Melchiori; two brothers and their wives, Marvin and Ethlyn Melchiori and Wayne and Adele Melchiori.
Mariam is survived by her three daughters and their families, Carrie Duits (Tom), Sheryl Sorby (Norm Loney) and Claire Coulston (Paul). She has eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; her brother, Mark; and countless others who called her grandma, auntie or mum. Her nieces, nephews and cousins all adored her, and they called her often, seeking advice, asking for recipes and sharing their love.
There will be two celebrations of Mariam’s life; one in Sun City Center, FL, on March 22 at 11 a.m. and another in Iron River, MI, on July 2, 2024. Memorial contributions can be made to Hastings Education & Enrichment Foundation; Lifepath Hospice House in Sun City Center, FL; or any other charity of choice.