Obituary: Margaret Rebecca Gatling

Margaret Rebecca Gatling, a longtime resident of Montclair, died at home on June 19, 2021. She was 76.

Mrs. Gatling was born in 1944 to Sidney and Ethel Dungee Vaughan in Norfolk, Virginia, the third of 10 children. 

Her family moved to New Jersey, where she finished her education in East Orange. Four years later she met George Gatling Jr., and they married in 1963. They had two children, Anthony 

and Keisha, and resided in Montclair for over 53 years. 

Mrs. Gatling worked at Hoffman La Roche in Nutley as a lab technician for over 30 years. 

She enjoyed cooking and also worked for a catering business in Montclair for many years. 

After retirement, Mrs. Gatling, known to some as Rebecca, dedicated her life to being a Jehovah’s Witness. 

She always had a smile and was a good-hearted person who was loved by her family and friends. She will be greatly missed for her sense of humor and concern for others. 

Mrs. Gatling is survived by her husband, George; two children, Anthony and Keisha Gatling; two grandchildren, Dajour and Jevon Pennix; six sisters, Lillian “Bea” Abbitt (James), Allie Robinson, Clytie Allen (James), Glenda Coles (Melvin), Judie Williams (Lester) and Mary Bibbs, all of Virginia; two brothers, Oliver Dungee (Brenda) of New Jersey and Anderson Vaughan (Debra) of Virginia; two aunts, Evelyn Greene and Sadie Harley (Frank) of New Jersey; an uncle, Sam Dungee (Corrine) of New Jersey; in-laws, nieces, nephews and host of longtime friends. 

She was predeceased by her parents, Ethel Dungee Vaughan and Sidney Vaughan, and two sisters, Christina Webb and Jean Fowkles. 

Services were July 1 at Woody Home for Services in Orange.