Rita Pozza

While she had moved away long ago from Alpha after marrying the love of her life, John (Jack) Battista Pozza, of Iron Mountain, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan was what she considered home and where she will be laid to rest.

Rita grew up in Alpha, graduating from Alpha High School in 1956, and attending college at Michigan State University and California State University, Long Beach, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

She married Jack on Aug. 2, 1958, and enjoyed being by his side for the 29 years he dutifully served in the U.S. Marine Corps. They moved to Northern Virginia in 1974 and retired while living in Fairfax Station, Va. Rita worked for the U.S. Army and then for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation as a computer programmer. Several years after Jack’s death, Rita moved to Temecula, Calif., to enjoy being closer to her son and the warmer weather.

She is survived by her three children, John (Paula) Pozza of Temecula, Jayelene (Mark) Betonti of Keswick, Va., and Joelle (Ken) Shreves of Colorado Springs; six grandchildren, Julian Pozza, Nicholas and Dominique Betonti, Hayden Pozza-Gaskell, Charlie (Brenna) Shreves, and Andy Shreves; one great-grandchild, Josie Blair Shreves; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, her parents, Ben and Vienna Smithson, three brothers, Russell, Ben Jr., and Lyle Smithson, one sister, Ruth Ann Weber, and her sisters-in-law, Margaret Smithson, Gertrude Smithson, Doris Smithson, and Carolyn Smithson.

Rita loved to dance with Jack. She also loved reading (she was an avid James Patterson fan), traveling, and family gatherings. Rita greatly touched the lives of her family and while she will be missed here on Earth, we know there is celebrating in heaven now that the family is together again.

The legacy of Rita and her husband, Jack, live on in the Jack Pozza Memorial Scholarship she established in his name at Iron Mountain High School. A celebration of life service will be held for Rita in Iron Mountain on a yet-to-be-determined date in the spring/summer of 2022.

Friends may leave condolences at https://www.cappadonafh.com/obituary/Rita-Pozza.