Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, paid tribute to the lifelong dedication of Marianne Stoeger and the late Margaret Pissarek – widely known as the “Angels of Sorok Island” – during an official visit to Austria on the 13th of November.
The delegation met with Marianne’s family, as well as representatives of the Austrian Catholic Women’s Association, which had provided financial support for the nurses’ volunteer work decades earlier.
Marianne and Margaret, both trained nurses, devoted themselves to caring for patients on Sorok Island beginning in 1962, providing compassion and medical service for more than 40 years before returning to Austria in 2005. Margaret passed away in 2023, while Marianne continues to reside in her home country.
The county, which named them honorary citizens in 2016 and provides a monthly pension, is also promoting their legacy through initiatives such as the Marianne and Margaret Sharing Training Center and youth volunteer programs.