Jenny Sorensen, wife of former Hervey Bay MP, mayor Ted Sorensen, dies

The devoted wife of former Hervey Bay MP and mayor Ted Sorensen has been remembered as a one-of-a-kind free spirit who opened her heart and home, touching countless lives with warm hospitality and THAT laugh.

Ted Sorensen with wife Jenny at a Hervey Bay RSL Gala Dinner. Photo: Brendan Bufi / Fraser Coast Chronicle

Bagpipes played and skies grew darker, mirroring the heaviness of honouring a life led by a red-haired powerhouse who helped countless people both publicly and behind the scenes.

Jeanette Margaret Sorensen – ‘Jenny’ as she was best known, was farewelled at a moving service on Tuesday afternoon as a large crowd gathered to remember her and support her husband, Hervey Bay’s former mayor turned four-term MP Ted Sorensen.

It comes after her sudden passing at age 73.

Her cousin Johnny remembered her as someone who was “deeply spiritual”, sometimes scarily so, sensing and knowing about things others weren’t aware of and told the crowd that wherever Jenny was now she would no doubt “organise it when she gets there and get it ready for all of us”.

That ability to organise was a key gift in her decades-long devotion to helping her husband in his political career, leaving a “blueprint on how to win an election” and being such a force “a few people down in parliament walking the halls still worried they are going to run into her”.

Johnny said his cousin was a wonderful, kind woman who “tried to help as many people as possible and with the aid of her husband Ted they did help a lot of people”.

A funeral has been held to honour the life of Jenny Sorensen, the devoted wife to former Hervey Bay MP Ted Sorensen.

He said the couple “took people into their homes they didn’t know” and she worked tirelessly not only in support of him but also for many local charities and community groups including Meals on Wheels (in lieu of flowers, the family asked for donations to MOW) and Zonta.

“Her love for her husband was well known,” Johnny said.

“She cared for a lot of people the same way.

“I know she certainly made a lot of us laugh.”

Close friend of 30 years Steve Baker said he wished he’d filmed that laugh.

He fondly recalled his and Jenny’s shared love of cucumber sandwiches which he said they would enjoy on the riverbank like Lady and Lord Muck while their loved ones caught fish and crabs.

He said Jenny was also unapologetically her unique self – enjoying a game of cards so much she even set one up in the foyer of Parliament House while waiting for her husband to take some guests on a tour of the building she’d seen enough and always “serving dessert” as the first course instead of the last when she and Ted would host dinners for the Beef, Steak and Burgundy club -even if it did ruffle a few member’s feathers.

Jenny Sorensen, 73, has been remembered at a moving service in Hervey Bay.

Her answer whenever people might be shocked or offended by her quirky ways of doing things was “stuff ‘em”.

Jenny was mother to Joanne, Craig and Julie and loved by Ted’s children Paul and Ange.

But she was also remembered as a “mother figure” to many.

Joanne told the crowd these were her “heart children” - one of whom, Donna, read out a touching poem which she said had helped her in her grief.

She thanked the crowd of mourners, which included Hinkler MP Keith Pitt and former Deputy Prime Minister and Wide Bay MP Warren Truss, for turning up in the volatile weather and at such a busy time of year to support the family through a “deep sense of loss”.

She said it was hard to think of one without the other as it always been “Ted and Jenny – Jenny and Ted” but that the legacy of their lives together which reached across the ditch to New Zealand and back to Booral would remain with the generations to come.

The Maheno school had joined to watch the service, she said and would ring the Maheno (wartime hospital ship which wrecked off Fraser Island/K’gari).

Joanne said her mum had treasured friends from all walks of life including “Sue from Boonooroo” who she met in 1969 having arrived from New Zealand with a six-month-old baby in her arms.

Over the years Jenny Sorensen (right) dedicated much of her time to helping organise and support local events and charities. Here she is pictured alongside fellow Burrum Coal Festival Princess judge Sonya Chapman in 2016.

She recalled her mum’s best-known saying whenever a challenge presented itself in life.

“She would listen and then say, ‘what are you going to do about that?’ not as a dismissal but a loving push to take action,” Joanne said.

Tiny moments were her treasures, she explained – every strawberry and wildflower that Ted would lovingly present to her and all the pets she’d cared for over the years and those missing her at home now, including her chooks, cows and Princess Annie the dog rescued from the floods.

“Through the tears, we give thanks for her life … her force shaped all of us,” Joanne said.

“She leaves us with her legacy – family, friends and unwavering love.

“We will carry it forward forever.”

‘GENEROUS SPIRIT TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES’

The unexpected passing of Mrs Sorensen sent shockwaves through the community last week.

The sad news was confirmed in a Queensland Liberal National Party email on Wednesday morning, which featured a touching tribute.

“Jenny was a wonderful woman whose kindness, warmth, and generous spirit touched so many of our lives,” it stated.

“While Jenny had not been well in recent times, she remained active in local party affairs and regularly provided advice to our campaign manager during the recent election campaign.

“Our love and prayers are with Ted and his family at this time.”

Mrs Sorensen was a member of various organisations in Hervey Bay, including Zonta, fighting for gender equality and an end to gender-based violence.

She was by her husband’s side throughout his long political career and was always in the thick of everything, including being event organiser, caterer, security guard and beacon of moral support.

New LNP Hervey Bay MP David Lee also paid tribute.

MOMENT IN TIME: Then Fraser Coast Councillor Chris Loft with Richard and Gwen Watt, Hervey Bay MP Ted Sorensen and his wife Jenny, MC of the night Chris Foley, Maryborough City Church Pastor Steve Jobe and Bayside Christian Church Pastors Ross and Mary-Lyn Davie.

“It is with a sad heart that I learned of the passing of Jenny Sorensen”, he said in his statement to this publication last Wednesday.

“Many will know Jenny through her tireless commitment to her Husband, Ted Sorensen.

“Jenny had an astute political mind and a deep understanding of politics.

“I commend Jenny for her contributions to our community.

“I will miss her laugh and humour.

“My thoughts are with Ted and the family.”

A minute’s silence was observed and a condolence motion was moved at the Wednesday Fraser Coast Regional Council meeting, along with a tribute from Mayor George Seymour.

“She was a true local and it is a very sad passing”, Mr Seymour said.

“She was so dedicated and so involved in our community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Ted and the broader family.”

Councillor Denis Chapman also spoke of his own experiences with Jenny, stating he admired her for her strength when discussing ideas.

Originally published as Jenny Sorensen, wife of former Hervey Bay MP, mayor Ted Sorensen, dies