Delia "Dee" Nila Basile

Our beloved Delia “Dee” Nila Basile now resides with the Lord. Dee passed peacefully on January 1, 2025 surrounded by family. Her final days were filled with friends, joy, music, prayer, and love. Dee was born on April 10,1950 in Aurora, IL where she lived and served most of her life. Dee was an energetic force spreading love, positivity and grace to all she encountered. Always positive, always high energy, always joyful with a big smile and bigger laugh – Dee brought many smiles to many people. Dee attended St. Nicholas grade school, Madonna High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University in 2011 at the age of 61. Dee’s early years were spent in the hospitality industry eventually leading to 18 years serving the City of Aurora in many capacities where she excelled as an ambassador of Aurora to all who lived or did business in the city. Dee also served on the board of The Aurora Public Library Foundation where she was a fierce advocate for the services, development, and growth of the library. Dee was proud of her Mexican heritage and deeply immersed herself in Aurora’s history from the Boxcar days, to the emergence of our Mexican community as an influential force and presence in a city she deeply loved. Dee would seize every moment to tell a story she was immensely proud of, and a story in which Dee and her family played a major role. For over 20 years she was highly engaged with Fiesta Patrias, and founded Aurora’s Annual Parade of Nations. In recognition of Dee’s legacy, her dedication, contributions and leadership; the Aurora Hispanic Advisory Board annually awards the Delia Nila Basile Award for exemplary leadership to an Aurora resident, organization or business. Dee is survived by her lifetime love and devoted partner, Peter Metrou; her children: Regina (Tom) Kazda, Dustin (Lexi) Heilmann, Jennifer (Tim) Theriault, Dulcinea (Patrick Benson) Basile; Nine grandchildren whom she adored: Camille Theriault, Colin Kazda, Anastasia Theriault, Martina Theriault, Ryan Kazda, James Theriault, Theodore Benson, Freddie Heilmann and Winston Benson. She is survived by her siblings: Michael Nila, Ryan Maley, Lisa Mia Maley and B.J. Maley. Dee was preceded in death by: her parents Berta Maley Dunham, Joseph Nila, and James Maley as well as her siblings Alma and Randy Nila. A visitation to celebrate Dee’s life will be held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 from 2:00pm until 7:00pm at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake St., Aurora, 630-631-5500. Funeral from THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY will be Monday, January 6, 2025 at 9:30am to Holy Angels Church at 10:00am. Entombment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit the website at www.daleidenmortuary.com where you may send condolences to Dee’s family. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to either the Aurora Public Library Foundation and/or Hesed House of Aurora in her memory.

Delia "Dee" Nila Basile

April 10, 1950 - January 1, 2025