Dorothy Inez Pozzatti

Dorothy Inez Pozzatti, the Matriarch of the Pozzatti family, died on October 26th, 2023 in Bloomington, Indiana. She was 97 years old and is survived by her five children: Valri Chiappetta, Rudy Jr., Gina Candelaria, Mia Williams and Illica Pozzatti. Dorothy was born on February 9th, 1926 in Silverton, Colorado, the third daughter of the family before two brothers were later born. Her parents, Maria and Giusto Bassetti immigrated from Italy in the early 1900’s and settled in Colorado because it resembled the Dolomite Mountains of northern Italy where they had been born. Dorothy’s early years were spent assimilating into US society, completing her public school education and helping her mother run a boarding house in Silverton in order to support the family during the difficult years of the Great Depression in the US.

Dorothy met her future husband, Rudy Pozzatti, in Silverton. They were married in 1946 following Rudy’s service in the US Army during the Second World War. After their marriage, Rudy and Dorothy moved to Boulder, Colorado where Rudy completed his undergraduate and graduate education in Fine Arts. They then moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Rudy began his academic career as an Assistant Professor. While in Lincoln, Dorothy gave birth to their first three children, Valri, Rudy Jr., and Gina.

In 1956, the Pozzatti family moved to Bloomington, Indiana where Rudy took on the responsibility to develop a printmaking department at IU. As a member of the University community, Dorothy established friendships with many people and became involved in many community activities. Dorothy and Rudy had two more children in the 1960’s, Mia and Illica. Dorothy felt great fulfillment in her homemaking role of raising five children. Equally important to her was the management of the financial aspect of both their home and Rudy’s sales of his art. She was a docent at the IU Art Museum, volunteered at the Public Library helping international students and elderly to process tax returns. She was an active participant with Meals on Wheels in Bloomington. She engaged in creative activities including crocheting, sewing, gourmet cooking and gardening. She had endless energy for a host of activities that were of interest to her.

Dorothy was a devoted mother and wife who loved her children and husband without limitation. Dorothy and Rudy exhibited a remarkable capacity to form and maintain strong friendships with many people from the Bloomington community and beyond. They brought joy and happiness to many people.

In addition to her five children, Dorothy is survived by five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

There will be no services at this time. A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com for the Pozzatti family.