By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Dorothy Edith Sorrell
Jan 7, 2017
c33920 1.png

Dorothy E. Sorrell, of Turlock, passed away peacefully at her home after a long and valiant battle with cancer.  The youngest child of James and Mary Hornbeck, Dorothy was raised on the family ranch in Stevinson, attending schools there and in Hilmar where she was very active in sports and band.  She continued to cherish friendships from her school days.

Dorothy married Albert Nervino in 1945 and had two children, Alette and David.  She was active in all of their school activities and in the early years helped Al with the family ranch.

Her love of golf started when she and Al joined Turlock Golf and Country Club in 1957.  She was an avid golfer throughout her life, holding offices with the ladies’ golf group and serving as captain more than once.  She also held offices on the Board of Directors and in 2013 was made an honorary member after 50 years with the club.

Dorothy loved business and acquiring property.  In earlier years, she owned and operated Jewel Dress Shop and the Linen Closet, and she and second husband Deward Sorrell ran numerous businesses in Hilmar and Turlock.  She held offices with the Turlock Chamber of Commerce, Carnegie Arts Center, and the Soroptimist Club.  She was a volunteer at Emanuel Medical Center, as well as a member of Emanuel’s auxiliary, for ten years.    

Dorothy also had a passion for gardening and entertaining, and she opened her home and yard to many throughout the years.  Parties for large groups were a common occurrence.

She enjoyed her church family at First Christian Church and was active on the Board of Directors and chaired various projects there.  

Mrs. Sorrell is survived by her children, Alette (Ron) Lanchester and David (Vicki) Nervino, and she was a very loving Nana to her four grandchildren, Kimberlee (Ryan) Smith, Matthew (Meghan) Anderson, Blake (Allison) Nervino, and Jessica Nervino.  Known as Grand-Nana to her five great-grandchildren, she was a large part of their lives.  Beside her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters and her two husbands.

We are most grateful to Dorothy’s doctors, pastor, and caregiver Adriana, all of whom were so supportive at the end of her life. 

Memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 180 S. Denair Ave., Turlock, CA 95380 or Emanuel Cancer Center, 880 E. Tuolumne Rd., Turlock, CA 95382.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wed., Jan. 11 at Turlock Funeral Home, 425 N. Soderquist Rd.  A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Thurs., Jan. 12 at the same location.  Interment will follow at Turlock Memorial Park.