Mary Gatto's Obituary
Mary Scarola Gatto passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 6, 2024 at her daughter’s home in Mahwah, NJ, after a 3-week struggle with her health at Englewood Hospital.
Born on February 27, 1936 in Brooklyn, to Italian parents, she was one of 7 siblings, 4 sisters and 3 brothers. She was proud of her Italian heritage and upbringing, and was close to her family who always shared large Sunday dinners and holidays together. She worked at National Bailing as a bookkeeper for over 15 years and was known to be the heart of the company until she retired.
She lived for many years in Brooklyn, Rockaway Park, Queens, Boynton Beach, Florida and spent her last two years at Bright View Assisted Living in Tenafly to be closer to the extended family. After a few months there she became an ambassador who helped welcome new residents. The staff said she quickly took over and was known to “run the place." They said she was the vibe and heart of Brightview and the place will not be the same without her. At the age of 87 she even made new friends. “I never had a friend like Mary; she was amazing and we all would wonder what spectacular outfit she would wear and what outrageous thing she would say,” her good friend, Lila, shared with tears in her eyes.
She enjoyed painting, dancing and being with her family, and is remembered for having a zest for life. She is lovingly described as “one of a kind, spicy and liked to tell it like it is.” She was a free spirit who loved her children and grandchildren with a fierceness that defined her life and with all the pride that came from having a loving extended family. If you were lucky enough to have met her, you would not soon forget her.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael. She is survived by her son Anthony Benanti and his wife Dina, Kimberly Rome and her husband Tom, grandchildren Dominique, and Angelo Macri, Danielle and Rocco, Salerno, Frankie Racanati, David and Samantha Benanti and great grandsons Lorenzo Macri and Sonny Salerno. She is also survived by her loving sisters, Isabel Gargiulo, and Carmella Falletta and many nieces, nephews, cousins, boyfriends and friends.
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