Dorothy Lawson

Dorothy Lawson possessed all the traits of a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and best friend. She was patient, caring, fun loving and generous with her time. Her family was the center of her world, and she would have devoted every moment to her grandchildren, if possible. Throughout her life, Dorothy was a model of devotion and love, a smart and funny mother, who illuminated and touched many lives. Michael and Mary (Lackner) Kuzma were far removed from the things that characterized the 1920s. They lived a modest life in Calumet, Michigan, where Michael earned a living working in the copper mines. On April 11, 1922, the couple delighted in welcoming their new baby girl into their family; they named her Lucille in honor of Mary's best friend. Although this was the official name on her birth certificate, they actually chose to call her Dorothy because Mary did not really like the name Lucille; and it stuck. Dorothy had a very large family; she was the ninth of eleven children: Mim, Aggie, Rose, Ralph, Clarence, Joe, Mike, Johnny, Dorothy, Al and Rudy. Her mother was undoubtedly a very busy homemaker. The Kuzmas were a very close-knit and happy family, and they were able to look to each other for comfort when they suffered three terrible losses: Joe died in 1931 of pneumonia, Aggie died of cancer in 1935, and Johnny died in a glider accident on D-Day. Despite these tragedies, Dorothy enjoyed her high school years, attending dances and parties, and going to many of her brothers' hockey games; they were quite good. She also worked for a dentist in Laurium. The dentist often took her and his family up to his cabin in Copper Harbor. Dorothy graduated from Calumet High School in 1940. Within a year, she moved to Muskegon with her brother, Mike, and while he played hockey, Dorothy found work in downtown Muskegon. She lived with Mike and his wife Bunny when she first came to Muskegon. Her life took a new direction, though, when she was introduced to Albert Lawson, and after a year courtship, they were married on June 13, 1942. The newlyweds settled down to married life together in an apartment on Merrill Street in Muskegon Heights. At the time, Albert was working at Muskegon Motor Specialties, while Dorothy worked at Anaconda Corp. The newlyweds didn't get much time together before Albert's draft notice showed up from the U.S. Army. After bravely serving in the Africa Campaign, among other combats, Albert safely returned home to his worried bride in 1944. He never spoke of his war experiences. In 1946, Dorothy and Albert bought a home at 734 Hancock Street in Muskegon, and over the next several years, they filled it with the joy and laughter of four children: Al (1947), Johnny (who was stillborn), Dan (1952), Debra (1956) and Steve (1958). The family was members of the St. Joseph Catholic Church of Muskegon (before it was torn down) and faithfully attended Sunday mass. Dorothy stayed home when the children came, wanting to dedicate her time to raising them well. In 1952, Albert had taken a new job with Shaw Walker to provide for their growing family. A supportive mother, Dorothy took great pride in her children and the successes in their lives. All of them graduated from Muskegon High School, after which Dorothy started working again at Anderson Packing to help with the bills. In 1969, Al graduated from MSU with a computer science degree, and Dan graduated from MSU in 1983, with a Doctorate in Entomology. Their achievements were definitely a great testimony to her parenting. Spending time together as a family was always important, and the family took many trips to the Upper Peninsula to visit Dorothy's parents, and to Detroit to visit her brothers. She looked forward to catching up at their family reunions in Muskegon too. They also spent many great summers at their Uncle Ralph and Aunt Celia's cabin on the lake. Dorothy, Albert and the kids liked to go fishing for perch in the Muskegon Channel, and enjoyed their catch every Friday night for dinner. Dorothy's happiest moments always involved the time she spent with her family. And in later years, when she was blessed with grandchildren, Dorothy joyfully filled this role to the best of her ability. Basically, she spoiled them rotten! She enjoyed attending all their school events and other activities; she was always their number one fan. In 1958, Dorothy's father passed away, and six years later, she lost her beloved mother. Dorothy was truly heartbroken for she was very close to her mother. Dorothy was tempered by the great depression and World War II. She took care of the family while Dad was away at a Tuberculosis Clinic for several years, living on welfare from local agencies. She learned humility, frugality, independence, self reliance, and the value of an education. She may have been the first in her family tree to graduate from high school. Like so many women in her generation she lobbied within her marriage and within the customs of the times, for the right to drive a car. Over the next several years, she also lost several more of her siblings: Clarence (Steve's godfather) in 1968, of a heart attack, Ralph (Debra's godfather) in 1983, and Mike in 1992. In 1999, Dorothy and Albert moved to a new home at 7050 Beechwood Lane in Fruitport, which was right next door to her daughter, Debra, and her husband, Mike. This home was somewhat back in the woods, which was quite peaceful, and every once in a while they had some wildlife peek out too. Better yet, Dorothy had grandchildren just next door that she could spoil and send home. Albert had a garage out back, where he loved to tinker and do upholstery work, while Dorothy spent some time tending to her garden, or catching a golf game on TV. Dreadfully, in 2001, Dorothy was grief-stricken once again when she lost her beloved Albert after 59 years of marriage. After some time, Debra and Mike moved to a new house, but they rented their old home to three of Dorothy's grandsons, who looked in on her and cared for her over the next two years. When her health kept declining, Dorothy went to live with Debra and Mike in July of 2006. Dorothy was a rather petite lady, but the rock of her family. Everyone looked to her for inspiration, comfort and support, and knew that she would be there for them, not because she had to be, but because she wanted to share fully in the lives of the people she loved. Dorothy's years of dedication afforded her both a happy place in life, and a family that loved her dearly. Dorothy Lawson, age 84, of Fruitport, MI, died Sunday, January 28, 2007, at her daughter's home. She is survived by 3 sons: Albert Lawson of Minnesota, Dan (Ann) Lawson of Wisconsin, Steve (Maria) Lawson of North Muskegon; daughter, Debra (Mike) Stowers of Fruitport; 9 grandchildren: Barry, Steven, Kayleigh, Celicia, Bethany, Jeffrey, Jason, Jarod and Kristina; 2 brothers: Rudy (Rita) Kuzma and Al (Geri) Kuzma both of Detroit; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, 3 sisters and 5 brothers. A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 2, at 11:00 a.m. at Clock Chapel. Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. A time of visitation will take place on Thursday, February 1, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or Harbor Hospice. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Dorothy or sign the online guestbook.