PORTSMOUTH—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.