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A royal passage for a 'little princess'
By KENT FISCHER © St. Petersburg Times, published March 6, 2001 NEW PORT RICHEY -- During her four short years of life, Deziree Pozzi wanted nothing more than to be a princess. On Monday her parents said that's how she'll be buried: in a long, lacy dress with pink ribbons, wearing tiny white gloves and a silver tiara. "We are all going to miss our little princess," said her dad, Joshua Pozzi, 21 of New Port Richey. "That's all she ever wanted to be." Deziree, 4, died Saturday from injuries she sustained Friday night in a horrific car crash that killed three others. Last Halloween, Deziree dressed like royalty, right down to the makeup and mascara. On Saturday mornings she took ballet lessons, and loved to see her skirt flare up when she twirled, said her mother, Jessica Brooks, 19. "She loved to dance and she was so good at it," said her great-grandmother Sandy Tambasco. "Everybody who met her, she just melted their hearts." Each morning Deziree would call her grandmother, Anna Brooks, to report which outfit she was wearing to preschool. "She was such a precious little kid," Anna Brooks said. "Picking out her clothes was a big, big deal. She loved to dress up." Friday's accident still is under investigation, Sgt. James Tobin of the Florida Highway Patrol said Monday. Charges might be pending against Nicholas DeMerie, 53, whose Camaro struck the van Deziree was riding in. The van was driven by Miqucalena Zorbas, a good friend of Deziree's grandmother. Zorbas lost two sons in the crash, Anthony, 10, and Robert, 13. Zorbas remains in critical condition in Tampa General Hospital with multiple injuries. Zorbas is a close family friend of Deziree's maternal grandmother and often looked after the girl. DeMerie's wife, Anne Marie, 49, also was killed in the crash. Also injured in the accident was Deziree's aunt, Tabitha Brooks, 14, of New Port Richey. Tabitha Brooks' leg was severely broken and she remains at Tampa General Hospital. As hard as Deziree's death is to accept, her family members said, the pain cuts even deeper because of the loss of the Zorbas boys, who treated Deziree like a little sister. Deziree would often beg to go over to their house to bounce on the trampoline with them. Friday night started out like any other for the Pozzi family. Zorbas picked up Deziree and Tabitha Brooks after school and drove them to Anna Brooks' diner in Tarpon Springs for their weekly fish fry. Zorbas also had her two sons in tow. After the fish fry, the troupe headed home, but made a quick stop at the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in New Port Richey. Shortly after leaving the Wal-Mart, DeMerie's Camaro crossed the State Road 54 median, spun and slammed into Zorbas' van. Deziree's parents said police told them DeMerie was speeding. Visiting hours for Deziree will be Wednesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Michels & Lundquist Funeral Home, 5130 State Road 54 in New Port Richey. The family asks that friends do not send flowers, and instead make a donation to them to help offset the costs of the funeral. Four white crosses stand at the accident scene. Deziree's father said the family is grateful to whoever erected the makeshift memorial. "We have no idea who did it, but thank you," Joshua Pozzi said. - Kent Fischer can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6241 or (800) 333-7505, ext. 6241. His e-mail address is kfischer@sptimes.com.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
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