Obituary of Vivian Villafañe

Vivian Villafañe, 74, of Staten Island, NY, died peacefully on May 5, 2022. Vivian Ebelice Encarnacion was born on February 26, 1948, in the Dominican Republic to her parents, Antonia Souffront and Julio Andres Encarnacion Rey. Vivian immigrated to the United States in 1961, where she loved spending time with her mother, siblings, aunts and cousins. Throughout the years, she became known as the cheerleader and defender of her beloved siblings – Julito, Cesar, Teresita, Andy, Zoraida, Maggy and Liz. Shortly after immigrating to the United States while attending a small church in Brooklyn, NY, she met the love of her life, Carmelo Villafañe. Vivian and Carmelo married on August 5, 1967. From that moment on, Carmelo's family became her family. As a newlywed, Vivian immediately began working for the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance and retired in 2003. While working for the State, she met several friends who also became family. Many people remember Vivian's husband due to his ministry as a pastor but failed to recognize that Vivian also had a ministry of her own. Vivian's ministry was that of being a faithful daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She consistently opened up her home, her heart and even her wallet to those in need around her. Vivian was the "hostess with the mostest" and always met others with a smile and elegance that could not be matched. She gave even when she had very little or nothing to give and did it with such joy and love that her loved ones will never forget it. Vivian's legacy will live on through her daughters – Cindy Milian and Christy Espinal, her sons-in-laws – Noel Milian and Eric Espinal and her beloved grandchildren – Gabriela Milian, Christian Milian, Vivian Espinal and Erica Espinal. Friends and family are invited for visitation at the Matthew Funeral Home, Inc, at: 2508 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314; on Tuesday, 5/10 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm (service at 7 pm) and Wednesday, 5/11 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Pastoral farewell will be on Thursday, 5/12 at 10 am and will be departing for the cemetery at 10:30 am. There will be no repast or visitation after either service to give the family time to grieve. Contributions can be made in Vivian's honor to Way Out Church Ministries Inc., P.O. Box 940, Bronx, NY 10455.