Obituary of Vivian Sarina Munro

Vivian Sarina (Pizzino) Munro passed away on Monday, November 7 at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick. Her family was by her side until the very end. She was 69 years old. Vivian was born and raised in Astoria, Queens, New York. She later lived in Sayreville, New Jersey with her first husband, Richard Opesso, where she raised her children, Matthew and Cara. From there she moved to Piscataway in 2002 with her now husband, Harold Munro. They later moved to Monroe Twp. in 2006 where they enjoyed many social activities in the community together.

Vivian began her career as an Early Education Teacher early on in her life then became the Director of Childcare at Elizabeth General Medical Center. She later worked in the same capacity for Cross Roads Learning Center in East Brunswick. Before she retired in 2017, she cared for many young children and inspired and educated many teachers. She just loved taking care of people and helping families of all likes.

She was a former member of Calvary Chapel Crossfields in Jamesburg and was a current member of Graceway Church in Hamilton. She loved attending women’s groups and Bible studies where she was very social. She volunteered her time with the church helping the homeless and hungry with “Food for the Soul“ program as well as clothing drives. Being a good person was her passion as well as ballroom dancing (which is where Vivian and Harold met), traveling, and crafting to name a few. She used her creativity for summer vacation Bible study at the church designing beautiful and unique structures and decor for the children. She absolutely loved it. Family also was a huge part of her life. Dinners with her kids, loved ones, and grand puppies brought the brightest smile to her face. Viv was so loving, sweet, compassionate, empathetic, and so loyal to those she cared for and would have helped an absolute stranger.

She is survived by her husband of 18 years, Harold Munro of Greenbriar at Whittingham, Monroe Twp., five children Matthew Opesso and his wife Brigitte Curry of Fort Worth, Texas, Cara Opesso and her husband Joshua Sykes of North Brunswick Twp., Dena Phillips and her husband Andrew of Old Bridge, Robert Munro and his wife Jennifer of Ellicott City Maryland, and Dianne Lewis and her husband Matthew of Jacksonville, Florida. Vivian is also survived by one brother, Frank Pizzino of Queens, New York., six grandchildren, Nathan, Jacob, Caleb, Cami, Benjamin, and Andrew, her first husband, Richard Opesso of Sayreville, and many other extended and loved family members.

A memorial gathering will be from 4:00pm to 6:00pm on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at the M. David DeMarco Funeral Home, Inc. 205 Rhode Hall Rd. Monroe Twp., NJ 08831, 732-521-0555.  A memorial service will begin at the conclusion of the gathering hours at 6:00pm at the funeral home.

For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made in Vivian’s name to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.StJude.org.