Mackenzie Jo Sorah, age 11, passed peacefully on Saturday morning, June 26, 2021, at her home in Shakopee, MN. She did not want to leave her family, but her body was tired. She is at peace, no more pain, no more breathing treatments and no more medications.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, July 27 2021, at 3:00 PM, with a time of gathering from 1:00-3:00 PM, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 833 South Marschall Road, Shakopee. Pastor Pat Simmons will preside. Family and friends who can’t attend in-person are invited to livestream the service at the following link: Mackenzie’s Funeral Service (Meeting ID: 858 0268 2300 / Passcode: 092892). Memorials preferred only and will be distributed to charities that have supported Mackenzie in her journey, by the family.
On April 5, 2010, in St. Louis Park, MN, Mackenzie was born to proud parents John and Barb (Dahn) Sorah. This red haired, blue eyed baby girl weighed 7 lbs. 14oz. and was 20 inches long. She was the youngest of four children, with her birth being announced on the stork in the front yard. Just like her other siblings. Mackenzie was a happy and highly active baby. She did everything much earlier than most babies, rolling, crawling, walking, and cleaning out the cabinets. And Mackenzie was fast! John and Barb called her Houdini. Because you could see Mackenzie one second and would be gone the next second. She was also like a little mischievous monkey. Mackenzie loved to rough house with her siblings. The more aggressive play…the better for her!
Two weeks before Mackenzie’s 2nd birthday, she was diagnosed with Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis ( INCL-Batten Disease ). Which is the onset during the second half of the first year of life, with a rapid mental and motor deterioration leading to loss of all psychomotor abilities. Over a short period of time, Mackenzie slowed down with walking, started having balancing issues, and in general movements. And soon, she was confined to a wheelchair and depending on others for her care and basic needs. Mackenzie spoke only a few words, but was able to convey to her family, in a special way.
Mackenzie faced many challenges in life and so did her family. Mackenzie still attended school and she was loved and adored by the teachers and staff. On her behalf, Barb and John made it a passion, pushing for better services for children with disabilities, in the school system. The Sorah family made it a mission to make people more aware of that we are all individuals, and we are all different, despite challenges that one may have to face.
Even though Mackenzie had a heavy cross to bear, her free-spirited personality always shined brightly. Mackenzie was very feisty and sassy in many ways. She was intuitive, perceptive, and calming. Mackenzie’s face lit up when someone would get into trouble, with a huge inducing smile and a giggle. She loved to listen to all types of music. It was music that would calm her soul. Mackenzie was a cuddle bug and loved warm pools and baths. These too brought her comfort. She had a strong will to fight and a force to live. All around, Mackenzie was an amazing daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend.
Forever missed in the hearts of those who loved Mackenzie the most, her parents, John and Barb; siblings, Brooke, Everett, Georgia; grandma, Jeanne Marnoff; grandpa, Alvin Dahn Sr; many uncles, aunts, relatives and friends.
Welcoming Mackenzie home are her grandparents, Eunice and Baxter Lee Sorah Jr, Tony Hagen; and uncle, Alvin Dahn Jr.
