Obituary of Ilia E. DeJesus

Ilia DeJesus, age 55, peacefully went to be with the Lord on March 12, 2023 at home surrounded by her family.  She was born on November 21, 1967 in Santurce, Puerto Rico to Aurelio Agosto and Abigail Calderón.  She attended William Allen High School in Allentown, PA. She graduated from the Latin American Bible Institute (Instituto Bíblico Latinoamericano).  Her bachelor’s degree in psychology was attained through Georgian Court University.  More recently, she also reached her goal of obtaining a master’s degree in social work from Rutgers University.

On October 5, 1991, she married the love of her life, Gregory DeJesus.  They lived happily and inseparable for 31 years and created a beautiful family that began with 2 children, Amarilis and Omar, and led to 2 beautiful grandchildren, Caleb and Eden.

Ilia’s professional experience and contributions include medical office management, social work and case management. She worked in Bethlehem, PA for 14 years at Head Start.  She also worked at CCTEC in the STRIVE program for 5 years, and 18 years as a paraprofessional and then social worker with the Child Study Team at Lakeside Middle School in Millville, NJ.  

Gregory and Ilia have pastored the congregation, La Gran Canaan, for 20 years in Millville, NJ, touching countless lives and contributing consistently to the community through service, counseling and motivation.  Ilia also loved sharing through her conference lectures, where she inspired groups of all ages by imparting her God-given wisdom and interpretation of scripture.  She was also a gifted singer and musician, talents she dedicated to her Lord through worship. 

She is survived by her parents, Aurelio Agosto and Abigail Calderon, her husband, Gregory; her children: Amarilis and Omar D.; grandchildren: Caleb and Eden; and her siblings: Aurelio Agosto II, Abimelec Agosto and Imer Agosto and many nieces and nephews.

Ilia will be especially remembered by her family, Christian community and friends, for the legacy she created as a counselor, teacher, encourager, humanitarian and overall life of the party.  She was an amazing cook and took advantage of every opportunity to help in any way she could.  But most of all, she will be remembered for her constant and unfailing faith in her Creator, her incomparable voice and love of worship, her creativity, her witty humor and her love of family and friends. She undoubtedly left an imprint to all that crossed her path.

Funeral services are from 10am-11am (visitation) and 11am-12pm (service), on Friday, March 17, 2023 at the Chestnut Assembly of God, 2554 E. Chestnut Ave, Vineland, NJ 08361; followed by an internment at Siloam Cemetery, Vineland.   Floral arrangements may be sent to the church.  Arrangements are by DeMarco-Luisi Funeral Home 2755 S. Lincoln Ave., Vineland.