June Angela Costello

June Angela Costello, age 70, was born on May 21, 1952 in Montclair, NJ. In 1972, June married the love of her life, Harry. Together, they raised three children. June passed into eternal life on March 23, 2023.

June’s heart belonged to God. June was proud of her Catholic faith and lived the Gospel daily. As a testament to her faith, family members found three bibles that were in shambles from use over the years. It is no surprise why the devil and his minions trembled when June prayed for others.

June loved her family unconditionally. June relentlessly encouraged her husband and children to pursue their dreams. June provided for the needs of children and elderly in third-world countries as a foster-mother.

June served others whenever the need presented. June was there to provide a ride to the store, to decorate the church for the upcoming liturgical season, to offer counsel in challenging time, or to provide a shoulder to cry on or lean on. June ministered to homebound, those in the hospital, and those confined in nursing homes.

June loved to teach others and she left an indelible mark on those she taught. June was a Religious Education teacher for many years and a substitute teacher in the Brevard Public School system. Students who have since grown up fondly remember her kind spirit and the difference she made in their lives.

June’s loving spirit is best remembered in this way. One day, June was serving as the cashier in the lunch line at school when a young student passed through the lunch line. The young girl paused, looked at June, and said, “Ms. June, you are so beautiful. You could be the Tooth Fairy.” June had a way of brightening a room with her warm smile.

June is preceded in death by her husband Harry Costello, father Gerald “Jerry” Ilaria, Sr., mother Ernestine (Walter) Pile, and brothers Daniel Ilaria, Sr. and Gerald “Jerry” Ilaria, Jr. June is survived by her children Matthew (Ashley) Costello, Fr. Steven Costello, and Leslie (Ben) Clay; grandchildren Jadyn, Ethan, Julianna, Levi, Madelyn, Amelia, and Quinn.

Visitation will be Monday, April 3, 2023 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Wylie Baxley Funeral Home, 1360 N Courtenay Pkwy, Merritt Island, FL 32953. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 10:30 am at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 2309 Holder Rd, Mims, FL 32754. Interment will be Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at 1:30 pm at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US-1, Mims, FL 32754.

The family would like to express their deepest thanks for all who have helped with June’s physical and spiritual needs over the past several years, especially: the Transitional and Memory Care units at Chateau Madeleine Assisted Living Facility, the St. Francis Reflections Lifestages Care teams, Courtenay Springs Health and Rehabilitation, Assisting Hands Home Care, Sister 2 Sister Home Care, Fr. Andrew and the members of Holy Spirit Catholic Church; the Department of Veterans Affairs, extended family, and long-time friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Francis Reflections Lifestages Care (https://reflectionslsc.org/). We would recommend directing your donation to the Edward M. Poe Care Center which provides a loving environment where difficult symptoms are managed in a home-like atmosphere.