BERLIN — Eunice Quillen Sorin, age 87, died April 16, 2011 at her home in Berlin. Born in Berlin, she was the daughter of the late Calvin Edward Quillen, Sr. and Beulah Lee Trader Quillen.
Eunice began her career in the business world of Ocean City working summers serving the tourist trade. At 16 years old, she attended Cosmetology School at Wimbrow Beauty Academy in Salisbury, first receiving her operator’s license then her manager’s license. After completing her training, her father bought Rosina Beauty Salon where she worked six days and several nights a week.
Two years after opening her salon, Eunice met and married the love of her life, Herman Sorin. While he was serving overseas in World War II, she went to the Wilfred Beauty Academy in Philadelphia to take courses in advance hair styling. After Herman returned home, the couple started their family. At this time they bought a house, a men’s clothing store and had moved Rosina Beauty Salon into their new home.
Eunice continued her education at the Robert France Institute of Beauty in New York. She also did advertising for the Rayette Permanent Wave Co. in the American Hairdressers Magazine.
In 1954, Eunice and Herman built the President Apartments in Ocean City. Eunice was just getting started in realizing her dream of becoming a top hairstylist. She began contest styling and joined the local unit of the State-National & International Cosmetology Association.
The next ten years saw her winning contest after contest from New York to Norfolk, including Baltimore and Washington, DC. More than 30 contest and trophies were under her belt and as always, she shared with others. She volunteered her talent as first-class hair stylist at shows benefiting charitable organizations as well as styling hair for bed ridden patients.
In 1965, she was honored at the International Hairdressers Convention at the New York Hilton Hotel as the most successful hairdresser of the year. After seeing her dream through, Eunice stepped down from the contest circuit and devoted all her time to the Rosina Beauty Salon.
Always the entertainer, Eunice had her own TV show, preformed at the Governor’s Mansion for Gov. Millard Tawes and at the International Hairdressers Show for Clairol and Rayette Permanent Wave Co.
In 1966, the Nassau Motel was built. At this time Eunice passed Rosina Beauty Salon to her daughter, Janice, so she could step in to manage the Nassau as her husband’s health was failing.
Prior to his passing, Eunice and her husband traveled the world. They enjoyed three weeks away in the fall and three weeks in the winter, as well as a few short trips in between.
Eunice had been a hard worker and excelled to the top level of anything she engaged in, including cosmetology, family life, property management, community service and philanthropy. She was named Ocean City’s Citizen of the Year in 2006, and award based on her generosity, uniqueness of personality and outstanding and longstanding contributions to her community.
Some of her many memberships and associations include: Ocean City Lions Club, Soroptimist Club, Ocean City Golf and Yacht Club, OC Chamber of Commerce, Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Cosmetologists Association.
Ducks Unlimited, Teachers Association, Citizens Against Government Waste, Citizens Tax Payers Union, President Ronald Regan’s New Library, Humane Society, Worcester Preparatory School, Ocean City Police Dept. United Way, Easter Seals, Bartender’s Ball (Beach Patrol), Berlin and Ocean City Paramedics, Berlin and Ocean City Fire Company.
Atlantic General Hospital, Grant-A-Wish Foundation, both Republican and Democrat Parties, Coastal Hospice, Holly Center, O.C. Fishing Tournament, Rotary Club, Dunes Club, Calvin B. Taylor Museum, Economic Development Organization, Buckingham Presbyterian Church, National Women’s History Museum, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and many more.
Eunice was preceded in death by her husband, Herman H. Sorin, in 1984. She is survived by her daughter, Janice Sorin Wainwright, and her husband, Harold, of Ocean City; two grandchildren, Kimberly Ann Phillips of Berlin and James R. Phillips and his wife, Christie, of Ocean City; two great-grandchildren, Brooke and Moorea Phillips; two sisters, Rosalee Q. James of Berlin and Agnes Q. Collins of Delmar, Del.; one sister-in-law, Doris Adkins Quillen. She was preceded in death by a brother, Calvin E. Quillen Jr. and a sister, Pauline Q. Clarke. She is also survived by one nephew, Jeffery James, and two nieces, Joyce J. Evans and Debbie Carper
A funeral service was held Wednesday at the Buckingham Presbyterian Church in Berlin. Entombment was in Buckingham Presbyterian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Atlantic General Hospital, Foundation Office, 9733 Healthway Dr. Berlin, MD 21811, or Buckingham Presbyterian Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 248, Berlin, MD 21811, or to the P.J. Aldridge Foundation, P.O. Box 97 Ocean City, MD 21823
A loving message from Eunice to all her family and friends: "Live, love and party on!