Carolyn J. Gatto

Surrounded by her children, Mrs. Carolyn Joyce Gatto went on to join her beloved husband, Richard Joseph Gatto in Heaven on February 24, 2022.

Born Carolyn Joyce Leigh in Macon GA, on February 15, 1930, Carolyn was blessed with a long and full life. She frequently reminisced of how she thoroughly enjoyed her time as a college student at the University of Miami and then how she loved driving cross country discovering America in the early 1950s.  Then, displaying the courage she would certainly draw on later, Carolyn and her best friend packed up and moved to Washington DC, where she began a government job.  It was at that very job, where she would meet and fall in love with a very persistent, recently returning Korean War Veteran.  After a whirlwind courtship, the two married on May 6, 1953 and began their 62 year union.  Unfortunately, soon after their wedding, Carolyn would need to summon her deep rooted courage once again to face and ultimately beat breast cancer, an absolutely devastating diagnosis at the time. Once cured, Carolyn went on to have two children and enjoy a 50 year career selling Real Estate in and around Montgomery County.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Brenda Lynn Benya, her son John Richard Gatto, five grandchildren: Gloria Starr Benya-Zwald, Joshua Adam Benya, Jessica Crystal Benya, Christopher Jason Gatto, Courtney June Gatto and two great grandsons: Zachary Hunter Benya-Zwald and Dylan Benya-Zwald.  Her in-laws include Jefferey Adam Benya, Stephanie Denise Gatto and Christopher David Zwald.