Vienna Guilice

Vivian M. Guidice, a lifelong resident of Geneva, died Jan. 8, 2026, at Huntington Living Center in Waterloo. She was 100 years old.

Vivian was born Vienna Maria Davoli, on March 27, 1925, to Annibale and Maria (Mary Gillotti) Davoli. Vivian was the last surviving of the 12 Davoli children. Her beloved husband of 77 years, Anthony (Tony) Guidice, passed away Dec. 29, 2020, of Covid.

During World War II, while her husband was in the Navy, Vivian did her part for the war effort. Weighing fewer than 100 pounds, she was a roofer at the Sampson Air Force base. She told her family a story about how she lost her footing one afternoon and began sliding off the roof she was working on. Just as she reached the edge, someone grabbed her by the collar and saved her.

When the war ended, Vivian and Tony settled in Geneva and lived nearly all of their married lives on Humbert Street (Torrey Park) in Geneva, just a few doors away from her parents and most of her siblings. Vivian never wanted to be anywhere else.

Tony and Vivian raised their two children there. Her daughters remember a hard-working woman, who held a full-time job for decades at the Hulse Manufacturing Co. on Lewis Street. They recall their mother coming home with fingers that were perpetually covered with band aids, bandages that covered the cuts made by the tiny pieces of steel used to make type for Smith Corona typewriters. Even with a full-time job, Vivian kept a spotless house, took care of the laundry and all the cooking. When Vivian's parents became elderly, she took care of them, too.

Vivian led a life deeply rooted in her family. The nine Davoli sisters met every month for what they called their "club." The women kicked in 50 cents each meeting and the kitty was used when a member of the family was in need. Vivian was an extremely generous woman. Her daughters recalled how difficult it was to buy their mother a birthday or Christmas gift. The gift was nearly always passed on to someone "who needed it more."

In the little spare time Vivian had, she was active in the Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodge on Prospect Avenue where she played bingo regularly, helped with social events and was a standout on the bocce court.

In their later years, Tony and Vivian loved to sit and gaze over Seneca Lake. On occasion, there would be a wedding taking place. They always enjoyed telling the young brides of their more than 70 years together and offering tips for a long-lasting marriage.

Vivian is survived by her daughters, Toni Marie Guidice, of Syracuse; Linda (Anthony) Bertino, of Geneva; grandchildren Jennifer (David) Barker, of Fairport; Lynn Higgins, of Fairport; Alix Guidice, of Syracuse; Maya (Thai) Le, of Atlantic City; great-grandchildren Michael (Bethany) Leisenring, of Newark; Luke, June and Owen Higgins, of Rochester; and great-great grandchildren, Avery Guidice, of Syracuse; and Jennie and Michaela Leisenring, of Newark.

A celebration of both Vivian and Tony's lives will be held in the spring.