Dorothy May Brotzman (nee Cox)

Dorothy Cox Brotzman, 93, beloved wife, mom, grandma and great-grandmother passed away Sunday afternoon November 6, 2016 at Cardinal Woods Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center. Dorothy was born in Willoughby, OH on November 22, 1922 to the late William “Oliver” Cox and Margaret Marian Covert. A 1941 graduate of Kirtland High School she went to work for the Ohio Rubber Company during WWII where she won the heart of co-worker Charles Arthur Brotzman with her homemade pies. They were married in her parents’ home in Waite Hill Village on March 21, 1945, soon moving to Painesville where Charlie was the caretaker of the Lake County Fairgrounds and it was there that they began to raise their family. Dorothy loved being around horses and for much of her life always had one or two in the barn. She studied them, painted them and could expertly guide them in saddle or hitched to sleigh or cart. They were one of her life-long passions. Dorothy and her family have owned and operated Brotzman’s Nursery, Inc. on Chapel Road since 1953. In 1958 the family moved into the home Charlie had just completed and where she would live until just a few weeks ago. An excellent cook, she made sure that her family had a warm lunch and dinner waiting for them every day when they came in from the field, a task she lovingly continued long after her husband’s death in 1998. A woman of great talent, many of the hooked and braided rugs on the floors came from her hands, as did the sweaters and shirts found under the Christmas trees that were decorated with her crocheted ornaments. She loved time spent with her sewing group, affectionately known as “The Needlers and Chatters” as well as a Friday Breakfast Club. She was a member of the Madison Historical Society fulfilling her passion for researching family genealogy. She was also a member of the Lake County Farm Bureau. Dorothy was a talented artist providing several illustrations that were used in her husband’s published poem books. She was preceded in death by Charlie and her brothers, David and James Cox. She is survived by her daughter, JoAnna Brotzman, sons Tim (Sonia) Brotzman, Jeff Brotzman, grandchildren Hillary Brotzman, Victor (Rebecca) Brotzman, Oliver Brotzman, great-grandson, Blake Charles Brotzman and many cousins, nephews, nieces and dear friends Friends will be received 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. on Friday, November 11, 2016 at The Behm Funeral Home, 26 River Street, Madison, Ohio. A funeral service will be at 11 A.M. Saturday, November 12, 2016 at the funeral home with Deacon Tom Hupertz officiating. Final resting place will be at North Madison Cemetery. Instead of flowers, contributions may be made in Dorothy’s name to The Madison Historical Society, P.O. Box 515, Madison, Ohio 44057. Friends may leave condolences online at www.behmfuneral.com