Dolores (Lori) Weitzel, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died peacefully in Columbus, GA, Friday, December 19, 2025, at the age of 81.

Born November 6, 1944, in Newark, NJ, she dedicated her life to her husband and family while working in retail sales for many years while raising her children.

She graduated from Blessed Sacrament Parochial School in Newark, NJ and as a member of the Catholic Church during her life, she taught Sunday school for many years as her children were growing up. She was a proud parishioner at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Murrells Inlet, SC where she lived prior to moving to Columbus.

When not working or raising her children or grandchildren, she enjoyed feeding and watching her neighborhood birds and she enjoyed spending time at the beach relaxing and collecting shells. She was an avid collector of miniature light houses and bells and displayed her collection proudly over the years.

Lori is survived by her husband of 61 years, Harry; her daughters Laura of Ashville, NC and Suzanne of Myrtle Beach, SC; her son Mark (Alicia) of Columbus, GA; her grandchildren Gabrielle (Brie) Nix (Nathan) of Okatie, SC; Anthony Sison of Honolulu, HI; Conner Mathison-Weitzel (Gin) of Columbus, GA; Great Grandchildren Kemp Nix, Shiloh Nix and Landon Sison; her brother in law Kin Balot of NJ and many nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand- nephews.

Lori was preceded in death by her parents George and Pearl Sackman and her sisters Pearl, Nikki and Betty and her nephews Jimmy Ballot and Joe Fay.

There will be no traditional service held.

Memorial Donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association:   (https://donorservices.alz.org).

Special thanks to the residents and staff at Legacy Reserve at Old Town (Columbus, GA) where Lori had lived for the last 3 years for all the kindness and friendship shared. A very special thanks to the Memory Care Nursing team at Legacy Reserve and to Allison Hartley at Affinis Hospice who made Lori comfortable during her final days.