MARY BYRNE POZZI
1935-2021
Mary Byrne Pozzi passed away peacefully in the presence of her two beloved daughters on October 13, 2021 in Houston, Texas following a long illness. Also known as “Merk” by her family, she was born Mary Miles Byrne on September 18, 1935, in Shreveport, Louisiana, the youngest of two daughters of Drucilla (Braud) Byrne and Miles J. Byrne. At age six, she began attending St. Vincent’s Academy in Shreveport, and graduated in 1953. She went on to attend Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, graduating in
1957 with a bachelor’s in education and a minor in social work. While attending Northwestern, she was active in Tri Sigma sorority (Alpha Zeta chapter); she remained active in the alumni group for six decades.
After graduating from Northwestern, Mary taught first grade in Shreveport and then moved to Houston where she taught second and third grade at Frostwood Elementary. While in Houston, she met and fell in love with Anthony Lawrence Pozzi, Jr., “Tony”. After marrying in 1971, they moved from Houston to Midland, Texas and then on to Berkeley Heights,
New Jersey before settling in Houston in 1979. It was there where Mary enjoyed and excelled at mothering her two daughters. Mary always made sure every holiday and birthday was magical.
Mary faithfully tended to Tony during his long illness with cancer, and after his death in 1992, she returned to work as a librarian at Frostwood Elementary, during which time she also became certified in library sciences and ESL instruction.
For all her life, Mary was engaged in her community, with faith, family, and books at the forefront. In Berkeley Heights, she ran the book fair for the American Association of University Women (AAUW). In Houston, she helped with the elementary school book fairs. For 35 years, she was an active member in Theresians, an international sisterhood of Christian women, including a term as President for her local Theresians VII Community. She was a faithful and active parishioner of St. John Vianney Catholic Church for 42 years, serving as Eucharistic minister, lector, and on the parish council.
Mary is lovingly remembered for her friendship, her generosity of spirit, her quick wit and endless sense of humor. She was an avid reader and gardener. In her later years, she was an ambitious traveler who set foot on five continents. All of her travels and adventures greatly enriched her endless storytelling, for which there will be no replacement.
Mary is survived by two daughters, Paula Byrne Pozzi (Dan Spinner) and Paige Elizabeth Pozzi (Arthur Norton). Mary has five beautiful grandchildren: Everette and Oliver Spinner of Darien, Connecticut, and Ila, Max and Leo Norton of Austin, Texas. She also had a special bond with her beloved dog, Molly.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, November 4, 2021, from 6PM to 8PM, with a vigil service beginning at 7PM at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial
Dr., Houston, TX 77079.
The funeral Mass will begin at 10:30AM on Friday, November 5, 2021 at St. John Vianney Catholic Church,
625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Funeral Mass will be followed by a reception/celebration of life from 12-3PM at Cafe Benedicte, 15455 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77079. In lieu of flowers, Mary’s wish is for donations to be made in her honor to Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Ships, or Smile Train.