Paula D. Vassell, affectionately known as “Auntie Paula” entered eternal rest on Wednesday, November 20, 2024. Born on October 1, 1956 in Kingston, Jamaica to parents Ivy Reid and Gerald Vassell. From a young age, Paula believed in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and was a rebel for Him. In 1971, Paula and her siblings migrated to New Haven, Connecticut where she attended James Hillhouse High School. After graduation, she attended Berkeley College in White Plains, New York where she studied fashion design and Gateway Community College where she studied early childhood education. In 1980, Paula moved to Tyler, Texas and enrolled at East Texas Bible College. There she earned a Diploma of Systematic Theology. In 1983, she moved to Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Paula returned to New Haven in 1991 and established Agape Children’s Ministry and Learning Center, an in-home daycare and learning center on Kimberly Avenue in New Haven. Paula moved to Hotchkiss Street in 1992 to a more spacious location, allowing her to accept more students into the homeschool program while continuing her work in a safe and empowering space. In addition to academic learning and fun adventures, Paula was dedicated to helping the children in her care foster strong relationships with God. As an ordained pastor, Paula was never able to sit down at any church she attended. She was always asked to work in the youth ministry. From teaching Sunday School to creating Easter and Christmas programs, Paula did whatever was necessary to keep children connected to God and engaged in church.

She was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Vassell. She leaves behind her mother Ivy; her siblings Yvonne, Cavell and Andre; her children, Andrew (AJ), Leah, Matthew, Mekah, Rachel, and Daniel; her nephews Michael and Myles; her nieces Krystal, Taryn, and Marlisa; and her grandchildren Janeska, Andrew Jr., Andraya, Jaida, Leilany and Michayla.

While she is greatly missed, we take comfort in knowing that her soul is at rest and at peace with our Heavenly Father…Well done my good and faithful servant, Paula D. Vassell.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at Mount of God Tabernacle Church, 64 Marlboro Street, Hamden, CT.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Paula D. Vassell can be made to the Closer to Free Fund at Smilow Cancer Hospital. Checks should be made payable to “Closer to Free Fund” and mailed to YNHH Development, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508. Include Paula D. Vassell on the memo line. Secure online gifts can be made at: https://www.givetoynhh.org/closertofree