Mrs. Vivian Elena Sullivan

A proud resident of Montpelier, Virginia, for nearly two decades, Vivian was born in Panama City, Panama, on October 31, 1934, to Stedman and Hazel Piggott. In 1955, she married the love of her life, William Christopher Sullivan (who preceded her in death in September 1993). Together, they raised three sons—Ronaldo Antonio, Ricardo Alfonso, and Rogelio Armando, all of whom lovingly carry her legacy forward.

Vivian and Bill immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, in 1962, in pursuit of a better life for her family. She often recounted that the hardest thing she ever did was to leave her three sons behind in Panama with their maternal grandmother, while she and Bill established a stable home for them in New York. She valued education and obtained her certificate in applied Nursing from the YMCA. She then received a scholarship to pursue her Bachelor's in Nursing from Brooklyn College, and culminated her educational pursuits with a Master's in Education from New York University (NYU). On many holidays, she took overnight shifts in the neonatal unit at Brooklyn Hospital to better support her family. She exposed her children to travel, off-Broadway plays, and other cultural activities to round out their education.

When Bill got a promotion that would require relocation to the Syracuse, NY area, she refused to move from Brooklyn, unwilling to leave the many friends, family, and varied cultural offerings of NYC. After many years in New York, their journey took them to Silver Spring, Maryland, and finally to the quiet beauty of Virginia, in their later years. Everywhere she lived, Vivian built community - fostering a sense of belonging and joy. Vivian had the uncanny ability to make everyone feel seen.

Those who know Vivian will never forget her brilliant mind, razor-sharp wit, and the kind of sarcasm that could slice through any situation and still leave you smiling. Beneath that humor lived a deeply spiritual, generous, fiercely loving soul. She adored tennis—whether on the court or cheering from the couch—found joy in cooking for big, loud family gatherings, and tended her garden with the same care she gave to the people she loved. She collected friends as easily as she collected teapots, and she cherished both. Her teapot collection, numbering in the hundreds, included a treasured family heirloom more than a century old, tracing back to her grandparents’ journey from Jamaica to Panama during the construction of the Panama Canal.

Vivian was an avid reader, a curious traveler, and a woman who embraced the world with open arms. With Bill, she explored four of the seven continents, an extraordinary testament to her adventurous spirit. She was also a passionate supporter of social and political causes, volunteering with many local and national organizations; never hesitating to help family, friends, or even strangers in need. Her generosity was instinctive, uncalculated, and unwavering. Her guiding principle, spoken often and with conviction, was simple: “Family First!” She lived those words every day of her life.

Vivian leaves behind a family who adored her: three sons, three daughters-in-law, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several beloved godchildren. Her counsel, advice, and guidance were sought by many, including relatives, church family, and numerous acquaintances. She believed in everlasting friendship and spread her wisdom and sound judgment, becoming a respected and adored figure to numerous friends. She adopted, nurtured, and guided many, young and old. As the matriarch of a growing family, she understood the importance of establishing beautiful family traditions - hosting annual Christmas, Easter, and Summer gatherings, which grew exponentially year after year, inclusive of both family members and friends. Their grief is deep, but so is the gratitude for the years they shared with her, the lessons she taught, and the love she gave so freely.

Vivian’s memorial service will be held at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2712 2nd Ave, Richmond, VA 23222, on Saturday, February 21st at 11:00 AM. Following the service there will be a Repast at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to these charities that Vivian supported:

● St.Elizabeth Catholic Church: https://www.wesharegiving.org/app/giving/WeShare-20000526?tab=home

● Blessing Warriors RVA: https://blessingwarriorsrva.com/#give

● The American Cancer Society: https://secure.acsevents.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=relay_donate_now

Join the Service via Zoom

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