Vivian Cirillo

Vivian was born March 9, 1932 in the Bronx, NY to merchant marine, Lawrence Urquhart and loving mother,Mary Elizabeth McEntee. She was the youngest sister of her mischievous brother, Vincent and beloved sister, Adelaide. As a young girl, she spent summers on her father’s native Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick, Canada. At her friend Coleen’s party, Vivian met a handsome young Italian man who dressed as well as he danced. She married Nicholas Cirillo and the couple moved to Brooklyn to start a family. 

Vivian was the mother of six children; Christopher, Lisa, Nicholas, Lydia, Vivian and Stephanie. 

The family’s home on 65 St. was filled with life, laughter – and of course, music. 

All were welcome at the Cirillo’s – the front door unlocked, couches and floors covered with sleeping kids, and her beloved dining room table always full. There was always food for one more and room for one more. 

She welcomed, Joseph, a neighborhood kid who preferred Brooklyn to Albany, into her home. JoJo became a cherished brother and son.

Any hour of day and all hours of night, 65 St. was a home to family and neighbors, old friends from school and new friends from work, husbands and wives and their families, too.

Vivian loved her children’s spouses like her own; she was the proud mother-in-law of Carmine Vartolo; Steve Augeri; Bradley Boolbol; Cynthia Carroll Cirillo; Beth Cirillo; and Joyce Cirillo.

Her family grew as her children went on to marry and have children of their own – the grandchildren whom she adored. She was the beloved Nana of: Ralph Vartolo and his wife, Allison and their beautiful daughters, Olivia and Emilia; Nicole Vartolo; Adam Augeri and Megan Padovano; Victoria and Tom Vazquez, and their adorable son, Thomas; Meghan Cirillo and her husband, Shane Munguia; Emily Cirillo and her husband, Kokou Aloufa; Jenna Vartolo; Lauren Cirillo and her husband, Vladimir Maleš and their children, Isabella and Aleksander; Victoria Cirillo; Nicholas Cirillo; Bradley Boolbol and Christian Boolbol. 

With her children grown and the passing of her husband, Vivian settled in a beautiful Bay Ridge apartment. She worked at the VA Hospital for 28 years in Canteen Services. She thrived professionally and met lifelong friends with whom she traveled the world.   ​

She was a lover of animals – none more than her incomparable cat, Bruno. 

Vivian’s favorite way to spend a sunny afternoon was at Skinflint’s, enjoying a bloody mary with her best friend, Lil.

The world around her was made more beautiful by her being in it and those around her better for being near to her.

She was known by everyone as simply, Nana. Just as there was always room for one more at her table, there was always room for one more in her heart.

Nana was admired by all who met her and she was loved by all who knew her. She will be remembered with that same admiration and love.

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Visitation Hours
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
4 PM - 8 PM

Clavin Funeral Home
7722 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Complimentary Valet Parking Available

Funeral Mass
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
9:15 AM
CLICK HERE FOR LIVESTREAM

Our Lady of Angels Church
7320 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209

Cemetery
Moravian Cemetery
2205 Richmond Road
Staten Island, NY 10306