In a funeral that filled car parks to well-over capacity, over 1000 people came to say farewell to Vivien Arcifa.
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The amount of people inside and outside the church gave a clear indication of how many lives she had touched, and how much love she inspired.
Described as the most beautiful, inspirational, courageous, humble woman, Viv passing of cancer has left a hole in the lives of many.
She leaves behind husband Charlie Arcifa, and children Jeremy, Tiani and Zac, and siblings Sam, Natalie and Simon, and a multitude of other loving family members.
Vivien Lea Gugliemino was born on December 9, 1969 to parents Sid and Terry.
They said from the very beginning she was “determined to be the boss” and being their first born, Viv had a very close and special relationship with her parents.
Nothing can ever take away the time we got to spend with you, our hearts are truly broken and we are not sure they will ever mend but we promise we will spend every second of every day trying to make you proud.
- Tiani Arcifa
“The amount of trouble she gave them because of her determination to do what she wanted when she wanted didn’t even matter because of the love they had for her,” Natalie said.
Her brother Sam was born in 1937, and six years later got the little sister she always wanted in Natalie.
“Viv was 10 years older than me and became my second mother. Growing up Viv and I shared a bedroom with two single beds and this is one of the many reasons we couldn’t help but become the best of friends,” Natalie said.
Being the eldest Viv was the go-to girl in the family for absolutely everything.
“Whether it was in her younger days with stuff around the house, or as she got older stopping in town to get the milk or helping Dad do his accounts,” Natalie said.
“We would spend a night a week having dinner at mum and dads with the whole family, at the end of the night Viv would spend a couple of hours doing dads books, still with everyone sat at the table.
“Viv really was the smartest and most reliable, in mum and dad’s eyes, for anything they would need.”
Attended primary school at Hanwood public from 1975 to 1981, Viv then continued on to attend Catholic High School.
This is where her love for sport really started, however she was a very creative and hands-on.
After finishing school in Year 10, her talents lead her to her “passion” of hairdressing.
In 1986 When Viv was 17 she met the love of her life.
As much as Charlie claims she was the one chasing him, Viv finally got sick of avoiding Charlie and let herself fall head over heels.
After four years of spending every possible second with Viv they were finally married on the in September 1990.
Four years of marriage under their belt, Jeremy was born on in March 1994. In October 17, 1996 Tiani was born creating the perfect pigeon pair.
“We spent our childhood being absolutely spoiled by mum and dad, it really couldn’t have been anymore of a fantasy,” Jeremy said.
“The love and support we were given really showed us what it was to be a family.
“We will cherish our time together and have fond memories of all our trips to the Gold Coast, multiple live cricket matches, weekends spent together at the Lake and many many more.”
Jeremy describes her as not a very materialistic person - unless it had to do with jewellery, her birthday or Christmas.
“Mum had every piece of jewellery from every jeweller in town. Rose gold jewellery was her favourite in the last few years, and the very rare times it was me and not Tiani picking a gift I would be safe picking something in rose golf,” Jeremy said.
She was remembered as having an incredible enjoyment of birthday and Christmas celebrations, loving watching the kids open their presents, but almost loved opening them more herself.
“Mum had Christmas decorations literally everywhere in our house, and I mean everywhere, even on the toilet seat and a Christmas styled toilet mat,” Jeremy said.
A change of career followed in 2000 later in her life, when the family first started managing a Thrifty Car Rental franchise, later purchasing it.
Viv spent the next 18 years working alongside her sister in law and the lady that would become her best friend, Aunty Lilly.
The two helped grow the business before it was sold earlier this year.
“Although Jeremy and I were the apple of mum’s eye we soon had to take a back seat when her three nephews were born,” Tiani said.
They will cherish this and all the times Viv and Charlie took them to live footy games whether it was all together or each of them separately.
“Sadly, in April 2015 our world fell apart. Mum was diagnosed with the disease that would ultimately take her from us way too soon,” Tiani said.
The family say Viv battled the last three and a half years with everything she had.
“Not once did she complain or whinge and fought every day with that beautiful smile on her face,” Tiani said.
“I’m sure there were times where she wasn’t feeling well or wasn’t feeling herself but she would never ever let me worry about her, she was the most selfless person I have ever met.
“Nothing can ever take away the time we got to spend with you, our hearts are truly broken and we are not sure they will ever mend but we promise we will spend every second of every day trying to make you proud.
“We love you so so much and we promise that no one will ever forget you. Until we meet again.”
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