Iona Cerza Obituary Iona Mae Cerza, 95, passed away December 12, 2020. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 72 years, James "Jake" Cerza, Sr. and her son, John David Cerza. Iona was born in Nash County, NC, to the late James Richard Gay and Sallie Annie Massey Gay. Iona and Jake moved to Portsmouth after the end of World War II when Jake finished his time in the US Army. After being a stay-at-home Mom for more than 20 years, Iona got her Real Estate license and eventually her Broker's license. She spent most of her professional career with Kneas and Jeffers Realty. Iona was a longtime member of Nansemond River Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She was a staple at the Portsmouth Christian Women's Club lunches and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Portsmouth Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. Over the years Iona's homemade Friday night pizzas attracted many of her children's young friends to her table. A family tradition that will not die with her is the Christmas Jesus cake where scriptures were read and symbols were placed on the special cake reminding all of the true meaning of Christmas. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Duda (Pete); and three sons: Tony Cerza (Charlene), James Cerza, Jr. (Ann), and Richard Cerza (Alesia); twelve grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a. m. Thursday, December 17, at Baker Foster Funeral Home, 5685 Lee Farm Ln., Suffolk. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com. Proper COVID protocols will be observed. Iona Cerza Obituary (1925 - 2020) - Suffolk, VA - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See also: 1) https://www.rwbakerfh.com/obituaries/obituary-listings?searchName=Iona+Cerza&page1 2) https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/pilotonline/name/iona-cerza-obituary?id11135198 3) https://www.pilotonline.com/obituaries/Iona-Mae-Cerza/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ### Narrative Summary of the Obituary Iona Mae Cerza, aged 95, passed away on 12 December 2020. She was predeceased by her husband, James "Jake" Cerza, Sr., and her son, John David Cerza. Iona was known for her dedication to family, her work in real estate, and her involvement in her church and community. ### Narrative Summary of Funeral Services A funeral service for Iona Mae Cerza took place on 17 December 2020. The family received friends prior to the service at Baker Foster Funeral Home in Suffolk. Burial details are not specified in the obituary. ### The Edited Obituary Iona Mae Cerza, 95, passed away 12 December 2020. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 72 years, James "Jake" Cerza, Sr., and her son, John David Cerza. Iona was born in Nash County, NC, to the late James Richard Gay and Sallie Annie Massey Gay. Iona and Jake moved to Portsmouth after the end of World War II when Jake finished his time in the US Army. After being a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years, Iona got her real estate license and eventually her broker's license. She spent most of her professional career with Kneas and Jeffers Realty. Iona was a longtime member of Nansemond River Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She was a staple at the Portsmouth Christian Women's Club lunches and a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Portsmouth Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. Over the years, Iona's homemade Friday night pizzas attracted many of her children's young friends to her table. A family tradition that will not die with her is the Christmas Jesus cake, where scriptures were read and symbols were placed on the special cake, reminding all of the true meaning of Christmas. She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Duda (Pete), and three sons: Tony Cerza (Charlene), James Cerza, Jr. (Ann), and Richard Cerza (Alesia); twelve grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. ### Vital Statistics Summary | Name | Iona Mae Cerza | |---------|-----------------------------------| | Age | 95 years | | Birth | 1925 (estimated); Nash County, NC | | Death | 12 December 2020; Suffolk, VA | ### Table of Relationships | Name | Relationship | Residence | |-----------------------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------| | Iona Mae Cerza | Decedent | Portsmouth, VA | | James Jake Cerza, Sr. | Spouse | -- | | John David Cerza | Predeceased Child | -- | | Brenda Duda | Child | Unknown | | Tony Cerza | Child | Unknown | | James Cerza, Jr. | Child | Unknown | | Richard Cerza | Child | Unknown | | 12 Grandchildren | Grandchildren | Unknown | | 16 Great-Grandchildren | Great-Grandchildren | Unknown | | 4 Great-Great-Grandchildren | Great-Great-Grandchildren | Unknown | ### Other Relevant Information 1. Iona Mae Cerza was born in Nash County, NC, to the late James Richard Gay and Sallie Annie Massey Gay. 2. She and her husband, Jake, moved to Portsmouth after the end of World War II when he finished his service in the US Army. 3. Iona was a stay-at-home mom for more than 20 years before obtaining her real estate license and eventually her broker's license. 4. She spent most of her professional career with Kneas and Jeffers Realty. 5. Iona was a longtime member of Nansemond River Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. 6. She was actively involved in the Portsmouth Christian Women's Club and the Ladies Auxiliary of the Portsmouth Chapter of the Disabled American Veterans. 7. Iona was known for her homemade Friday night pizzas, which attracted many of her children's young friends. 8. A cherished family tradition was the Christmas Jesus cake, where scriptures were read and symbols were placed on the cake to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.