On November 13, 2023, Vincenza (Vivian) Cioffi went to be with angels and saints in heaven. She was born in Gioia del Colle (Bari), Italy on August 16, 1934. She was a devout follower of the Catholic faith and in years past a regular parishioner at the Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Scarsdale, New York. She was a devoted wife to her husband, Rito, who preceded her in death in 2012. She was a devoted mother to Joe Cioffi (Jenny), of Georgia, Phillip Cioffi (Michelle), of Ocean Ridge, Florida, and Barbara Giacometti (Alfredo), of Tupelo, Mississippi. She was a devoted grandmother to Lauren, Adrianna, Katherine, Nicholas, Jack, Luke and Massimiliano (Max), whom she all adored. She was also a devoted great-grandmother to Julian, and Nolan and Maya. In earlier years, she was a seamstress by trade but worked from her home while raising her children. She was involved in her children’s education, supporting school events with costumes that she readily made from her sewing machine inside her home.
Her love of her family included her siblings, Nunzio Pagiarulo of New York, Giulio Pagliarulo of Nevada, sister-in-law,Laura Pagliarulo, along with countless nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Rito, Vincenza was preceded in death by her grandson, Andrew; and her siblings, Joseph Pagliarulo and Giana Pagilarulo, and Pina.
She was the orchestrator of many family events, always explaining that her large house was the perfect avenue and excuse for a get-together. Her love of cooking was genuinely inviting as she felt it was a way to keep everyone in conversation, entertained and more so, keeping the family together. She shared this passion with her daughter Barbara. Since her husband’s passing in 2012, she looked forward to visiting with her granddaughters, Lauren, Adrianna, and Katherine whom she adored. She spent countless hours from her home in New York with her grandson’s Nicholas, Luke and Jack, whom she loved cooking for and spending time with. In later years she enjoyed traveling, particularly to see her daughter Barbara in Tupelo, Mississippi (Alfredo), and her grandson Massimiliano (Max), with whom she proudly spent countless hours playing games, listening to stories about his experience at the University of Mississippi, for which she was so proud. She also leaves behind her special extended family and friends, Franca, Delia and Maria whom she enjoyed luncheons with while sharing in family updates and stories.
Donations in her honor can be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803 or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.
Funeral services will be at Ballard-Durand funeral home, Hawthorne, New York on December 1. Interment including a mass of Christian burial will be at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne, New York on Dec. 2, 2023. Pegues Funeral Directors has been entrusted with local arrangements.
