Vivien Ann Assenza, age 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening December 8, 2024 at Bayshore Medical Center in Holmdel, NJ after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s.

Vivien was the second daughter of Michael and Angelina DeSanti formerly of Bayside Hills in Queens, New York.  She was the middle child of three, her eldest sister Marion and her younger brother Dr. Michael DeSanti of Colonie Albany, NY.

From all accounts the DeSanti household was one of happiness and she would often reflect fondly back on her childhood. At the age of 16, Vivien met Joseph John Assenza of Staten Island, NY on a double date with her sister Marion, and her boyfriend Donald Buckhout, ironically both couples would later marry. In 1969, they welcomed their first child into the world, a beautiful baby girl, they named her Jeanine Ann Assenza, and in 1970, they welcomed a son, Marc Joseph Assenza.

In 1977 they moved to Holmdel New Jersey where they proudly raised their family. On June 11, 1989 Joseph passed away.  Vivien, age 49 was a widow, and though her heart was broken, she moved forward. She would never go on another date in her life stating that she had already met her one true love and would be reunited with him again as she deeply believed in God, soul mates and life after death.

In 2004, she became a grandmother as her son Marc and his wife Maria welcomed their daughter Kristen Paige Assenza.  Vivien absolutely LOVED good food, listening to Jim Cramer when he spoke about stocks, and her pets. Every dog she ever owned was obese, and they loved her for it! Although she has passed, one can only imagine the joy she felt when she was finally reunited with her husband Joseph once again.

Vivien Ann Assenza is survived by her daughter Jeanine Assenza, her son Marc Assenza, her granddaughter Kristen Assenza, her younger brother and sister-in-law Dr. Michael DeSanti and Jackie DeSanti, her nephews Brian Buckhout, Donald Buckhout, Dr. Michael DeSanti, Jr., Philip DeSanti and many cousins.

Viewing will be held on Sunday December 15, 2024 at Holmdel Funeral Home on 26 South Holmdel Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733 from 3:00 PM ET to 6:00 PM ET . The service will be held on Monday December 16, 2024 starting at 10:00 AM ET at St. Benedicts Roman Catholic Church on 165 Bethany Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733, followed by burial at Holmdel Mausoleum, 900 Holmdel Rd Holmdel, New Jersey 07733.

For messages of condolence, please visit Vivien’s page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.