Obituary of Ivelisse Milec-Gonzalez

Ivelisse Milec- Gonzalez was born on May 6, 1967 in Puerto Rico, daughter of Emil and Lucy Milec. She grew up in Philadelphia and was the oldest of her three sisters. In 1984 she graduated as salutatorian from Nativity School of Business. She was highly skilled in stenography and this would open doors for her in the business world. Ivelisse was ready, to begin with, her new journey but that journey was not in business, it was motherhood. In 1985 Ivelisse moved to Berlin NJ, she was married and expecting her first child. Ivelisse embraced motherhood as she welcomed her firstborn Gary on March 26, 1986. She was a stay-at-home mom loving on and caring for her son. On January 13, 1989, she welcomed her daughter Ivelisse. This was truly an exciting time for her and the family. On December 3, 1991, she welcomed her 2nd daughter Jacelena. Her family was growing quickly and she was grasping motherhood the best she knew how. She had a difficult marriage that ended in a divorce and despite the ups and downs of this situation, she was not alone. She was surrounded by her parents and sisters to help her with the children and support her through difficult situations. In the mid-1990’s Ivelisse was excited to venture into a new career. She attended school for Cosmetology. She graduated and began working at Hello Gorgeous. She continued her studies and became a licensed esthetician. She used her profession to build up others making sure her clients always felt beautiful. She had such a love for people wanting them to see their best selves. Through the years of 2001 – 2005, Ivelisse journeyed through this earth searching to fill a void she had in her heart. She searched and searched and finally, in 2005 the search was over when she came to know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her heart was overflowing with so much love and joy. Ivelisse was transformed into a new woman. She was a beautiful and amazing child of God. She would shine wherever she would go. She had an undeniable love for the Lord and she was set free of her guilt, shame, and sorrows. She was alive; born again! During her time of praising and loving the Lord, Ivelisse met Angel at church. Was it love at first sight? Did God bring them together? Angel approached Ive and told her that God told him that she was going to be his wife and her response was “you’re crazy and if God told you then He would have told me.” Angel told her to pray and fast and she will get clarity. Needless to say, God’s hand was definitely in this union, Ivelisse is the Love of Angel’s life and they married on April 29, 2007, and moved to Camden NJ. Their love for each other grew stronger with each passing day and this showed as she supported Angel through the days of his dialysis, hospital stays, and his kidney transplant. Ivelisse was the true example of, “in sickness and in health”. She demonstrated her faith, never gave up hope, and walked through each day with an addicting smile and praising the Lord at all times. She lit up a room. Throughout the years of 2005 – 2021, she was blessed with the birth of her 9 grandchildren. They all grew so close to Eve and especially loved the slumber parties and the days going to church participating in the praise and worship and finding and understanding the Love of God. She provided a place of comfort. Starting in 2007 Ivelisse began doing amazing works for the Lord. She was a missionary who traveled out of the country several times to do the Lord’s work. During her ministry, she wore many hats. She was the church secretary, Evangelist, prophetess, and Sunday school teacher for the children. She took her ministry to the streets of Camden where she would feed the hungry, ministered to the lost, encouraged, clothed, provided toiletries, and fed the prostitutes. She talked with the drug dealers to lead them to the Lord and provided guidance to a better life. She would give her last dollar and God always made a way for her to never be without. She gave selflessly believed and saw the beauty and greatness in everyone. Susan, her best friend, her ride or die, would always call her Donald Trump. In addition to being called Donald Trump, our mom called her Mother Theresa; from the words of Susan, “she was a true living Angel sent from heaven and lived amongst us in the flesh.” In 2013 Ivelisse partnered with a team of friends to build up and organize the “Lil Miss Camden Pageant.” This wasn’t about external beauty; it was a positive outreach to bring together a group of beautiful and smart young girls; supporting them in a positive journey with their studies and planting seeds to help them identify their purpose. They are somebody! She enjoyed working with them and called them all “her babies.” She would post photos of the events and the smiles tell it all. She was so proud of each of her babies. From 2017 – 2019 she enrolled in Jameson School of Ministry and graduated in June 2019. She continued on and receive her bachelor’s degree in Theology in June 2021. June 18, 2021, Angel and Ivelisse renewed their vows while in Florida and yes, Ivelisse is still the love of his life; this is engraved on the inside of his wedding ring. She expressed so much enthusiasm for being able to renew her vows. She was excited to witness and be a part of the engagement of Chris and Jacelena. This added joy to her heart. The theme here is Ivelisse loved the Lord, she loved her family dearly and simply loved people and wanted for everyone to find peace within each other, mend broken relationships, and bring people together and she did this until her last breath as she was surrounded by her loving husband, children, family and friends who will honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest. This truly is a small glimpse of who she was. Ivelisse embodied a virtuous woman: trustworthy, cared for others, gave her husband encouragement, took care of her family, gave to the poor and needy, wise, honorable, and respected by others, her children and husband will continue to praise her. She respected and feared God. On October 3rd Ivelisse went home to Jesus and joins her grandson Tristan Jace in heaven after a courageous battle with cancer. Ivelisse is survived by her husband Angel Gonzalez; children, Gary and Yanina Milec, Ivelisse Milec and Antonneio Hiller, Jacelena Milec and Fiancé Christopher Nikirk and Juan Carlos Santiago; eight grandchildren, parents Emil & Lucy Milec; sisters Michelle Del Piano, Kimberley (Nestor) Zumbado and Stephanie (Michael) Belsanti; many nieces, nephews, great-nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. We are not saying goodbye. No amount of time or space will separate her from our hearts. We will meet again.