Vivian V. Costanzo

Vivian V. Costanzo (nee Tagliaferro), 87, of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, 2025 surrounded by loving family. The older of two children of Stephen and Flora Tagliaferro, she was born and raised in the Bronx. Vivian attended Evander Childs High School, graduating in 1955. Although she enjoyed truly wonderful high school years, Vivian often complained about her swimming class – noting that the school always issued bathing suits riddled with holes, making an already awkward experience even worse.

Vivian never learned to ride a bike, a fact that set her apart from most of her peers. Raised by ultra-caring parents, she wasn’t allowed to take risks like other kids. Her parents always insisted it was safer to walk or be driven, shielding her from what they saw as unnecessary harm. Like a scene from the movie “A Bronx Tale,” Vivian grew up in a very large and fun Italian family with many living nearby in the same neighborhood. She could often be found enjoying time with them on the apartment building’s front stoop or playing weekly Italian card games such as Scopa.

Vivian attended Westchester Community College in NYC where she studied to be a lab technician. After earning her associate’s degree, she accepted a position at a NYC doctor’s office where she worked for a few years.

Vivian later left the workforce when she married and dedicated herself to being a full-time homemaker. She moved to Woodbridge, NJ and eventually to Wayne where – for more than 50 years – she was devoted to her family, nurturing and caring for her children. After her children had grown, Vivian went back to work for several businesses, including Montclair Radiology in Nutley until her retirement in 2007.

While her children were in school, Vivian was a member of the PTA. She enjoyed sewing and was an extraordinary cook, famous by family and friends for her meatballs. Her family remembers their weekly traditional Sunday dinner get-togethers at her home – the aromas of amazing food and the guarantee of much fun and laughter around a table filled with her love.

Aside from her talents, hobbies, and interests, Vivian’s greatest passion was for her family. Nothing in the world meant more to Vivian than providing for and spending time with her children, and especially her grandchildren. Throughout the years, Vivian especially cherished family trips to Disney World and their summers in Ocean City at the Jersey Shore. While at the beach, she was often found basking in the sun and reading Daniel Steele novels. Over the years, her grandchildren affectionately referred to her as “G-Viv,” and more recently referring to her lovingly as simply “G.”

Vivian was not only dedicated to her family but also to her Catholic Faith. She was a parishioner of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary RC Church in Wayne for more than twenty years. Vivian found solace and strength in her Catholic faith, which became her anchor as she navigated the profound grief of losing her beloved daughter Maria DeBenedetto in 2023.

Vivian was an extraordinary emotionally strong woman of faith who was kind and compassionate. She often thought of others’ needs before her own. She had an unwavering belief in the goodness of others. Vivian was a truly special person who touched the lives of everyone she met and will be missed tremendously by her family and friends.

Vivian is survived by three children including Guy Costanzo and his wife Lisa of Anderson, SC, Stephen Costanzo and his wife Donna of Oak Ridge, NJ, and Laura Stinziano and her husband Joe of Wayne, NJ; her son-in-law Martin DeBenedetto; one brother Steven Taglia and his wife Maxine of Bradenton, FL; and nine grandchildren including Hannah Costanzo, Daniella Martin (Brendan aka Gregory), Ryan Sylvester (Brie), Matthew Costanzo (Kenya), Joey Stinziano, Michael DeBenedetto, Jaclyn Stinziano, Zachary Costanzo, and Olivia Costanzo. She was predeceased by her daughter Maria DeBenedetto and also her longtime companion Michael Guarino.

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In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made in Vivian’s name to Alzheimer's Association  or the Maria Costanzo DeBenedetto Memorial Foundation (find Foundation on PayPal, or by check mailed to MCDM Foundation, 19 Point Road, Wayne, NJ  07470).