Dorothy Dreon

Dorothy Dreon (Stiglich), age 94, of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, passed away on March 7, 2026. She was born on September 11, 1931, in Calumet, Michigan, to Thomas and Rose Stiglich.

Dorothy possessed a brave and adventurous spirit. In her early twenties, she left the "small town" and familiar beauty of the Upper Peninsula and moved to the "big city" of Detroit where she worked in the bookkeeping department at Ex-Cell-O Corporation. After meeting and marrying the love of her life, Leonard Dreon, she devoted herself to raising their five children as a homemaker. When Leonard became self-employed in the commercial cooking equipment repair business, Dorothy once again put her bookkeeping talents to work, helping manage the business for many decades.

Dorothy and Leonard shared nearly 69 years of marriage before his passing in July 2025. Their life together was centered on family, hard work, and devotion to one another.

Dorothy was a creative and talented woman whose curiosity and persistence led her to master many crafts. Entirely self-taught, she even mastered the art of calligraphy, developing beautiful, elegant handwriting. She also created beautiful oil paintings, often of lighthouses, ships, and peaceful landscapes. She lovingly sewed outfits for her children, and her knitting, crocheting, and quilting produced countless sweaters, afghans, bedspreads, and rugs that warmed both homes and hearts. Her creations are a reminder that amazing things can happen when we stay curious and keep trying.

Dorothy found joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved reading mysteries, especially novels by James Patterson. She enjoyed music by Don Ho, Engelbert Humperdinck, and the Three Tenors, among others. She looked forward to Sunday drives, bus trips to the casinos and their buffets, and her favorite treats, popcorn and ice cream. She had a wonderful green thumb and surrounded herself with thriving houseplants. She delighted in feeding the squirrels and birds and had a deep love for her cats, firmly believing that pets were family too.

Though she loved visiting her hometown of Calumet in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, crossing the mighty Mackinac Bridge was never easy for her. Each trip across found her hunkered down with her rosary in hand, faithfully praying until the crossing was safely behind her.

Above all, Dorothy will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She dedicated her life to caring for her family and making sure those around her knew they were loved and valued. She was always checking in to see how everyone was doing, reminding them that she was thinking of them and proud of them. Her kindness, thoughtfulness, and genuine concern for others made everyone feel special.

Family members looked forward each year to the birthday phone call, complete with her heartfelt singing of "Happy Birthday." It was a simple tradition that reflected her warmth and the joy she found in celebrating those she loved.

Known affectionately as Mom, Grammy, Nana, and Grandma, as well as aunt, sister, neighbor, and friend, Dorothy touched countless lives with her caring spirit. Her thoughtfulness reminds us how much we matter to one another, and her creativity reminds us that beautiful things can grow from patience and love.

Dorothy will be greatly missed by her children: David (Deanna), Duane (Marianne), Dan (Tara), Donna, and Delora (Ron) Tracy; her grandchildren: Brittany, Monica, Nicole, Amber, Dean, Corey, Jesse, Cody, Addison, and Joshua; and her great-grandchildren: Tylerr, Aryana, and Kyler. She is also survived by her nieces and nephew, Jean Linja, Dianne Trembley, and Charles Pohjola, along with friends who became like family over the years.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leonard; her parents, Thomas and Rose Stiglich; and her siblings, Rose, Nick, Mary, Rudolph, and Thomas.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, March 13, 2026, at St. Mary Magdalen Church in Melvindale, Michigan. She will lie in state from 11:30 a.m. until the time of Mass at 12:00 p.m.

Interment will occur at Lake View Cemetery in Calumet, Michigan (once the snow melts and theground thaws).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Calumet Theatre, Calumet, MI.

P.S.: Dorothy would want to remind you all to watch out for Looney Toons and have sweet

dreams on fluffy clouds, but don't fall off!