Margaret E. Gargone

Gargone (Novack), Margaret E., - 96 of Somers Point, beloved mother and grandmother went home to the Lord peacefully on December 17, 2017.  Born in Mt. Carmel PA, Margaret was a lifelong resident of the Atlantic City area. Margaret left her hometown of Mt Carmel PA in 1936 to live with her oldest sister and her husband stationed at Fort Hoyle in Harford County, MD.  In 1939 Margaret graduated from St. Margaret's High School in Bel Air MD.  After graduation she waitressed at banquets in the Officer's club. There she made the acquaintance of Captain Dafuse and his wife. They recommended her to Colonel Winslow who hired her to run his household at Fort Hoyle. She became a companion to his wife. Together they traveled to Camp Gruber in Oklahoma to open a USO show. While at their estate in Millbrook NY, Margaret accompanied the Colonel and his wife to teas and lunches with President and Mrs. Roosevelt.
It was during their employ Margaret met and married Anthony Gargone in 1940. Anthony was a serviceman in the US Army. Due to his transfer they lived on base at Fort Jackson SC. Unfortunately, their marriage was short lived.  Anthony succumbed to injuries sustained from being a welterweight Army boxer.
Margaret first returned to PA beginning her civilian career working in Sunbury PA assembling the black boxes to be used in submarines.  She was drawn back to MD during the Era of "Rosie the Riveter".  She worked at the Glen L. Martin Company building airplanes. At Fort Meade she prepared trucks to be shipped overseas. This took her to Newton, MA where she graduated from Auto Mechanics School for the US Army.
Margaret enlisted in the Woman's Army Corp in 1945 and did Basic Training at Fort Oglethorpe GA. She was trained at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore MD as a Surgical Technician. She served at Thomas M. England General Hospital, formerly Chalfonte-Haddon Hall and now Resorts International Hotel-Casino. Her final military assignment was in neurosurgery at McCloskey General Hospital in Temple, Texas. She was honorably discharged at the end of WWII and given a WWII Victory Medal.
Margaret married William Gargone in her hometown of Mt Carmel PA on October 16, 1946. Having served in Atlantic City NJ, they decided to settle down there. She worked as a Surgical Technician at both Atlantic City and Shore Memorial Hospitals. She also had fond memories waitressing at Chalfonte-Haddon Hall. Later she was employed by the Pageant Motel, The Mayflower Hotel, Resorts International Hotel-Casino, Comfort Inn and Seaview Marriott as Assistant and Head Housekeeper.
Proud of her service in the military Margaret participated in many parades often carrying the flag. She joined the American Legion Post 334 where she held the position of Secretary. She is a Charter Member of the National WWII Museum and Listed Member in the US Army Women's Museum. 
Amongst all this Margaret was a loving, devoted, proud mother and grandmother. Margaret spent most of her retirement residing in Smithville, NJ. She worked part-time at The Shoppes of Smithville but most of all enjoyed spending her time with her grandchildren. 
Margaret was steadfast in her Catholic faith. She was a parishioner in many of the Absecon Island's RC Churches during her lifetime.  Her most devout dedication was to St. Nicholas of Tolentine. She attended mass daily by taking two buses to get there from Smithville since she never obtained a driver's license.
Margaret was predeceased by twelve siblings and two husbands. She is survived by two sons Robert Gargone (Frances) of Galloway and Anthony Gargone of Woodbine, one daughter Patricia Gonzalez of Somers Point, two grandchildren Gina Gargone of Taos, NM and Michael Gonzalez of Glen Cove, NY, two step granddaughters Christina Gonzalez and Melissa Denning (Jack) both of Egg Harbor Township, one step grandson Jose Gonzalez Jr (Sarah) of Northfield, six great children Tyler, Julie, Taylor, Kacey, Maeve and Madison, and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to attend her church visitation Thursday from 9:30am - 11:00am at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church 1409 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City, NJ. Mass of Christian Burial 11:00am. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery on Wednesday January 24, 2018 at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Church. Arrangements entrusted to Marinella Funeral Home, Hammonton, NJ www.marinellafuneralhome.com

Visitation

9:30 am - 11:00 am Thursday, December 21, 2017
St. Nicholas of Tolentine 1409 Pacific Ave. Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States 08401