Dorothy Hazelton

Dorothy Hazelton, 90 years young, of Lorain, Ohio, passed away peacefully on December 12, 2025. Born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1935 to Thomas and Hannah Preston (née McMahon), Dorothy embodied the finest qualities of her Scottish heritage: grace, kindness, and an unwavering sense of propriety tempered with genuine warmth.
Dorothy began her working life as a garage attendant in England, where she met her future husband Djuro. In 1958, with characteristic courage and determination, she immigrated to America, settling in Ohio where she would raise five children in South Lorain. A woman of remarkable industry and self-sufficiency, Dorothy worked in many roles throughout her life including managing Rite Nau Beverage on Grove Avenue, working as a designer at Fisher Big Wheel, serving as bookkeeper at Freezer Queen for many years, and bartending at the VFW, where her charm and wit made her a beloved fixture.
She taught her children well, to be industrious, generous, and civilized in the truest sense. Through her example, she instilled in them curiosity, a love of nature and adventure, and the importance of lifelong learning. Those weekly trips to the library manifested into adventures that shaped not only her children but also generations to follow.
A woman of many talents, Dorothy found joy in crocheting beautifully crafted tokens of love for her family, painting delicate watercolors, and crafting jewelry. She loved to dance, she truly loved it, and could dance the night away, continuing to take to the dance floor well into her 90th year. She was known for her dry wit and zest for life. Her children remained very close, a testament to the strength of family bonds she so cherished.
Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents Thomas and Hannah Preston, her brother Jackie, and her beloved daughter Julie and husband Richard Hazelton. She is survived by her daughters Darlene Vukelic of Lorain and Irene Lingenfelter (John) of Arizona; sons Michael (Anne) of Taiwan and Bobby (Bridgett) of Cincinnati; eight grandchildren: Eric, Tara (Matthew), Justin, Torey, Ryan, Alex, Natanya, and Mariah; and eight great-grandchildren: Avery, Gunnar, Niko, Mica, Ella, Audelyn, Penny, and Bear.
She inspired all who knew her to learn as much as they could about anything and everything. Her legacy lives on in the curiosity, kindness, and love of adventure she instilled in her family. "Haste ye back, Dottie." We'll miss you something fierce
Her burial service will be held Monday, December 15, 2025, at Elmwood Cemetery, Lorain at 10 a.m.
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