August 3rd 1970, young, and in love, and in New York City, she married that gregarious man and they embarked on a forty-five year journey together. They would go on to raise their only child Raymond in the suburbs of New Jersey. Jovita continued her education, culminating in 1993 with a Master's Degree in Social Work from NYU before finally retiring in 1997. In retirement, Jovita was very active in prayer communities, enjoyed her gardening, cherished her granddaughters, but most of all loved dancing with her husband. They were devoted to each other, weathered the good and the bad, appreciating God's blessings in all things. Jovita is predeceased by her sisters Filomena, Maria Belen and Marcelina; and her beloved Jose, who passed in 2015. Surviving her are her sisters, Aurea and Josephina; her son, Raymond and her daughter-in-law, Gail; and her two grandchildren, Vida and Rio. Family and friends may visit on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm, at The BRUNSWICK MEMORIAL HOME, 454 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024, at 9:45 am, at the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:30 am, at St. Bartholomew's Roman Catholic Church, East Brunswick, NJ. Cremation will be private. For directions, please visit our "Services" page. In lieu of flowers, the De Leon Family kindly requests memorial donations to be made to American Lung Association.