Florence Gatto - Obituary

lorence Helen “Flo” Gatto, 87, a resident of Brightview in Edgewater, MD and previously from Pawleys Island, SC, passed away peacefully on September 15, 2025. She was born on February 18, 1938 in Jersey City, NJ to the late Albert and Florence Volk and was one of six children. Flo married in 1956 and became a U.S. Navy wife. She traveled and relocated extensively with her husband during his 21-year career including stations in England, France, Germany and Turkey while they raised their family. Flo enjoyed exercising, sailing, collecting sharks’ teeth and simply walking the beach, often with her dog, Abbey, at her side. In addition to her parents, Flo was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Joseph David Gatto who passed away in 2024; two brothers, Frank and Dominick Principe; and a sister Margaret Lauerman. She is survived by her four children, Helen (Gerard) Brennan of Churchton, MD, David Gatto of Naples, Italy, Karen (Thomas) Klene of Kingwood, TX and Brenda (Joshua) Denmark of Colorado Springs, CO; one brother, Albert (Karen) Volk of Pittsgrove, NJ and sister, Carole Stabile of Vineland, NJ. She is also survived by five grandsons, Christopher and Rory Brennan, Austin and Robert Humphreys, and Matthew Staney; and one granddaughter, Elizabeth (James) Brock. The family will be planning a Celebration of Life for both Flo and Joe at a later date. Please feel free to leave an online condolence or memory using the Memories link on this page.