Evelyn Sorensen Memorial Fund

Evelyn Mae Sorensen passed away in her dorm room at Middlebury College in Mid-September of 2023. I am organizing her GoFundMe as we are planning on creating a physical memorial for Evelyn in Middlebury, Vermont possibly at the Knoll, to commemorate Evelyn and her impact on the Middlebury community. This may include the planting of a field of perennial wildflowers, a park bench, a fire pit, or a sculpture of Evelyn riding her bike across the Vermont countryside. Additionally, we are planning a second memorial of having a bench with a statue of Evelyn’s dog placed at the Knoll (aka “the high meadow”), or other location, at Evelyn’s home in Lincoln City, Oregon overlooking her hometown and the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, and under “God’s Thumb.” Additional funds will be used for end-of-life expenses, and in anticipation of forming a college mental health foundation in her name. We appreciate with deep thanks and gratitude any donations in her honor in creating a lasting tribute of her for all to remember and enjoy in her eternal beauty, and continue to share in the joy she brought into the world, and in carrying on the legacy she started.

“My beautiful daughter, Evelyn, passed away recently in her dorm room in Forest Hall. We are devastated of her passing, and our hearts are broken. She was kind, intelligent, selfless, and always thought of others before herself. Those who knew her frequently commented about how wonderful of a person she was, and I know she will be incredibly missed by many. She was an avid cyclist, a new hobby she took up in the spring. She found cycling her freedom, which brought her significant joy in her life, which was much needed. She enjoyed going on long bike rides of 50 miles and more, exploring the beauty of Vermont and the New York side of Lake Champlain. She excelled academically, and did a research position over the summer processing data about glacier melt. She loved being outdoors, weather hiking, long walks on the TAM, camping in the mountains, visiting national parks, or wandering the Oregon coast at home. This past spring break she participated in a hiking trip with the Mountain Club to the Appalachian Trail, a dream she had of seeing since she was a young child. She was a skilled photographer, well known to many in Oregon, for her incredible pictures of waterfalls and landscapes across the state, a collection of memories of the good times as a family together at home and the places visited in better times. College though, was difficult, and many know Evelyn had dark times and really struggled. Depression was always with her, beckoning at her doorstep. Every happy moment, was met with major set backs, time after time at Middlebury. She was recently in a major bike accident on campus where her bike, which she saved up all her money to purchase just a few weeks ago, was destroyed, along with her losing a tooth, and sustaining a severe concussion. The loss of the bike and her new found passion and freedom, the chance to get away from the stressors and pain from the College, was devastating. Suicide, however, has been ruled out, and her death remains under investigation. Although Evelyn struggled with depression, she had always sought out help and support when she was struggling before, and was an influential activist on campus and nationally for improved mental health services, especially for marginalized and LGBTQ+ communities. We are comforted in knowing her many months of struggles and suffering have come to an end, but her activism and voice will surely be missed. If Evelyn ever wanted anything from anyone, it was for people to be kinder, more gentle, and more supportive of those who are different and are suffering. She had deep hope the world could be better, despite it being so harsh to her. She was too good hearted for the world she had to live in. I want everyone to know how much she was loved and will be missed. Every person who met Evelyn was forever touched by her. She leaves behind her 18-year-old sister and 16-year-old brother, who are incredibly sad in her passing. As a single mom, my nightmare has happened, I have lost my beautiful child, my joy, my heart, my everything.”