Dawn Sorrentino lived a joyous life, starting in New York City in 1930, traveling around the world while working at Pan American Airlines as a Reservation Agent beginning in her twenties, and passing away in Pembroke Pines on March 22nd at the age of 94.

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, Anthony Fiore Sorrentino, with whom she spent more than a half-century, and by her first husband, James Frances Jordan. Dawn is survived by her children, Diana Page Jordan nee Sorrentino, Chipp Boomer Sorrentino, and Dayna Rand Sorrentino Kocher. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Arian Burks, Justin Burks, and Alexander Kocher. Dawn’s son-in-law, Christopher Kocher preceded her in death. Dawn is also survived by her son-in-law, Berry Burks and daughter-in-law Bernice Lutchman.

Some of the first sounds Dawn heard as an infant were her father Godfrey Ludlow’s Stradivarius Violin, which Godfrey played for royalty around the world and on live radio where he was Concert Master at NBC Radio in NYC. Dawn’s mother, Blanca Cabrera Gainsborg Ludlow, was the head Registered Nurse in the Emergency Room at Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC for about fifty years. While Godfrey was born in Sydney, Australia, Blanca was born in Peru, not meeting in New York City until their late thirties.

Dawn was born around the time that Aviator Charles Lindberg’s baby was kidnapped. Wanting to protect baby Dawn, Blanca created an intercom system, and was credited for her life-saving invention. Blanca also gave birth to Dawn’s brother, Lt. Col. Godfrey Ludlow, five years later.

Charmed by music, theatre, and creativity in her native New York City, Dawn made her way to Tampa, Florida, where she performed in Little Theatre. Appearing on stage is a pattern she wove in throughout her life. She also began her higher education at Roanoke College in Virginia, taking a break to have her three children, and later completing her Bachelors Degree, specializing in Early Childhood Education at Newark State Teachers College. Dawn then taught nursery school at Shadyside Nursery school and at Wardlaw Nursery School, both in New Jersey.

Inspired by her creative nature and her desire to educate young people, Dawn wrote and self-published three children’s books, “Rusty Visits the Zoo,” “I Wish I Were,” and “Look At Me,” all of which are written in rhyme. At the time of her passing, she was working on a compilation of short stories and poems.

Wanting her children to be influenced by the arts, Dawn would frequently take them to Broadway musicals, opera, traveling around the world, and even to live network TV game shows, where she appeared on “Camouflage” and “Fractured Phrases.” Meanwhile attending the Unitarian Church in Plainfield, New Jersey, Dawn would act on its stage, as part of the Parish Players.

In the late 1970’s, the family moved to Pembroke Pines, Florida, where Dawn worked for Eastern Air Lines as a Reservations and Future Ticketing Agent. After Eastern dissolved, Dawn and her husband Tony bought and operated two offices in Florida under the banner of Nice and Easy Travel Agency.

Dawn’s brain, spinal tissue, and eyes were donated to the concussionfoundation.org in Boston. The research is intended to champion traumatic brain injury patients, primarily athletes, military veterans and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to concussionfoundation.org, to aid its ongoing medical research.

Over the past decade, Claudett Marshall contributed sweetly to Dawn’s life as her Primary CareGiver. Claudett took her to doctors’ appointments, prepared her meals, and she also kept Dawn’s mind and spirits active with daily playful activities including puzzles, cards, and other games. Claudett’s service was supported by her round-the-clock team including Novlette, Lorna, Pauline, Yolette, Samantha, and several others.

Dawn Sorrentino is beloved for her desire to make the world a better place, through the arts, sciences, and her ability to connect deeply with everyone she met. We miss her and we love her.