Josette von Birgelen

Josette Jaye von Birgelen (Jaye) of Oviedo, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the age of 51. She was born on April 19, 1974, in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she grew up. She played softball and graduated from McDowell High School

Josette graduated from Edinboro College in Pennsylvania and went on to earn her Master's in Social Work at the University of South Carolina in 1998. She lived there for a short time after graduation before moving to Florida.

Josette worked at Heart of Florida United Way (Orlando, Florida), University Behavioral Center (Orlando, Florida), and was working at the University of Central Florida, teaching the Master’s in Social Work program.

She was actively involved in volunteering at events such as Hope Helps and Give Kids the World; Josette was always a big help in supporting her mother and others in their charity work.

She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph von Birgelen, and her Grandparents.

She is survived by her son, Anthony Jay DeMarchi; Mother, Tammy Esser; stepfather, Chuck Esser; and Anthony’s father, Tony DeMarchi.

The family would like to thank the nurses and doctors at Orlando Health Trauma Hospital for the care and compassion they showed to Josette in her final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Josette’s Life at the Lutheran Haven Fellowship Hall (1522 Haven Drive, Oviedo, Florida 32765) on Sunday, December 7, 2025, from 1:00 - 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Josette’s honor to The Knights Helping Knights Pantry food bank, Hope Helps Food Bank of Oviedo, and/or to Give Kids the World.

We have gotten so many texts, Facebook messages, notes, calls, emails, and people stopping by, all talking about what an upbeat and positive person Josette was. It seemed important to them to let us know how she helped them. Please continue to remember her like that: be positive, change a negative to a positive, smile, & enjoy life, for it is too short to waste.