Nina M. Sorensen

Nina M. Sorensen, 63, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend, passed away on April 12, 2024. Nina was born on March 6, 1961, to Kerstin and Henning Sorensen. A celebration of her life will be held on April 27, 2024, with visitation from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. and services from 11:30 to 12:00 at Horizon Community Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. A livestream of the celebration will be available at www.horizoncc.com/livestream.

Nina obtained her undergraduate degree at IPFW and then attended Indiana University School of Law in Bloomington, Indiana, where she attracted the attention of her classmate and future husband, Dennis Schoff. Nina graduated from law school with honors in 1986, and, after graduation, practiced law at two law firms in Cincinnati. In 1988, Nina married her soulmate, Dennis, in a beautiful ceremony at a small chapel in Bloomington. In 1990, after she and Dennis had their first child, Katie, they relocated to Fort Wayne, Indiana to be nearer to her family, where Nina practiced law in-house for North American Van Lines. While in Fort Wayne, Nina and Dennis had their second lovely daughter, Maggie. 

She was a gifted attorney but found her true calling when she retired from law to become a full-time mother to her two beautiful daughters. As her family moved around the country, first to Fort Wayne, then Philadelphia, then Chicago, and then back to Cincinnati, Nina was the thoughtful family leader, making sure the move not only went smoothly but that her girls were successfully integrated into their new home and school. Nina’s intelligence, wit, charm, sense of humor and beauty are reflected in the strong, independent women she raised. She was happiest spending hours talking with “her girls,” working with them through the joys and tribulations of their lives. 

Nina cared. Her deep Christian faith was a very private faith, but it was brightly reflected through in her service to others. A beautiful person inside and out, she cared deeply for the people around her. She made an impact on many lives. She cared for her family, for her friends, for the myriad of animals she adopted over her life, and for her parents in their senior years. She still found time to volunteer for animal shelters, CASA, and, blending her love of her pets with her desire to serve, she recently trained as a therapy dog handler and brought joy to people through her dog. She was always available to anyone who needed a thoughtful ear to listen. She stayed connected with her friends over the years, still enjoying girls’ weekends with friends she had known since grade school. 

Nina enjoyed life. Nina had the biggest heart and the most beautiful smile. Occasionally strong-willed and stubborn, she was a private and quiet person but also very witty and fun! She was a fun-spirited soul who loved to travel, both internationally, visiting over twenty countries with her family, and here in the States, where she would take long road trips visiting her daughters around the country. When not traveling, she enjoyed gardening and going on long walks with her dogs and family. She was a true lover of craft beers, good scotch and mystery novels, whether reading for her own pleasure or for discussion with her beloved book club. Although she was quick to note that they were not her favorite activities, Nina was also a recreational runner and triathlete, having run many smaller races, several half marathons, and the NY marathon. Her favorite new role, though, was being a mormor (grandmother). 

Nina was a perfect wife. She had an unconditional love, strength of spirit, and willingness to try to keep Dennis in line that made her his perfect soulmate. They were partners in everything, from raising their children to helping others. Nina and Dennis were inseparable, spending their most joyous time in the company of each other. 

Nina was preceded in death by her parents, Kerstin and Henning Sorensen, and is survived by her husband, Dennis Schoff, daughters Kathryn Sorensen Schoff (Antoníus Hjartarson) and Margaret Sorensen Schoff, granddaughter Nína Rós Antoníusdóttir, sister Lena Yarian and brothers Jens Sorensen and Lars Sorensen (Dominique). 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or your local animal shelter. 

She will be forever missed. Until we meet again.