The North Stelton family lost a distinguished member on Thursday, May 22, 2008 when Maureen H. Sorensen passed away. Maureen was an ex-captain of the EMS Division and a former Fire Commissioner for Fire District 4. Originally from Fords, Maureen was a Piscataway resident for over 40 years. She joined North Stelton in 1992 and served as an EMT for over 10 years. Maureen was elected Squad Captain in 1994 and served in that position for multiple terms. She was also elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners of Fire District 4, Piscataway and served for one term. She was the first woman to serve as fire commissioner in the history of Piscataway Township.Maureen was a Registered Nurse and worked as both a hospital nurse and school nurse, most recently serving the children of St. Bartholomews Catholic School in East Brunswick. Maureen was very proud of having obtained her paramedic certification in Pennsylvania.

Perhaps Maureen's greatest legacy will be the hundreds of Emergency Medical Technicians she trained as an EMT Instructor over the past 15 years. Maureen taught EMT candidates as an instructor with the Central Jersey Training Center in Piscataway, NJ. Maureen was a first-class instructor who crafted competent EMT's with her extensive knowledge, patience, sense of humor and passion for EMS. She was also an active CPR Instructor and taught many other classes, including infection control. Maureen was a delegate from North Stelton to the 19th District of the New Jersey State First Aid Council. Maureen passed away at home after a brief illness. Up until her death, she was a sustaining member of the fire company, actively supporting company operations. She was also very recently active in the election campaign of her brother, a fire commissioner in the Fords section of Woodbridge Township.

She is survived by her husband of 44 years, Glenn Sorensen; her daughter Karen Hennessey; her two sons, Kraig and Keith Sorensen; her four brothers and one sister, all of whom she spoke of with pride; and many other relatives. She is predeceased by one sister. Fire Department services were conducted on Tuesday evening, May 27, 2008 at the Mitruska Funeral Home in Fords, NJ.

The North Stelton Volunteer Fire Company would like to extend our deepest sympathies to Maureen's family and loved ones. We would also like to thank all of the members of the Fords Fire Company and all of our brothers and sisters in the emergency services who attended services to honor Maureen's memory.