Margaret M. Tato

Margaret “Marge” Tato (nee Salsano) met the Lord surrounded by her loving family on June 18, 2026 at the age of 95. Marge’s life was marked by love of family, kindness to all those around her and steadfast determination to overcome the obstacles she faced.

Margaret was born on September 30, 1930 in Newark, NJ to Rose (nee Vanna) and Alessio Salsano, the youngest of three children. She graduated from East Side High School in Newark in 1947 and began her secretarial career at Maher Terminals and then at Prudential Insurance Company. She married the love of her life, Carmen “Charlie” Tato, in 1953 and they spent the next 48 years together until Charlie’s passing in 2001. They moved from Newark in 1963, raising their three children in Hillside, NJ. Margaret moved to Union in 2003.

Marge was devoted to her family. She overcame a devastating illness when her children were school age, and was determined to live a full life. She succeeded. She was active in the PTA, was a Cub Scout Den Mother, and coached the Hillside Pop Warner Football cheerleaders. She was a fixture at her children’s sporting events and school activities. Later on, she took care of her grandchildren and then attended their swim meets, soccer games, school concerts and dance recitals. With the help of her grandchildren and her iPad, Marge even mastered social media.

Marge was the glue that held her family together. She was a wonderful cook and baker and for decades her family gathered together each week for Sunday dinner. Her pasta with gravy, meatballs and braciole was legendary and enjoyed by her children and then her grandchildren. At Christmas time, she baked hundreds of cookies and gave tins to her extended family and many friends. Marge was an avid reader and enthusiastic member of book clubs. Despite her physical limitations, she traveled with her family to Italy and England and throughout the United States. She will be remembered for her outgoing personality and beautiful smile, and for touching the lives of countless people in all facets of her life, most recently at the Autumn Ridge community.

Marge is survived by her son Joseph and his wife Eda, daughter Maryrose and husband William Armstrong, daughter Joanne and husband Steven Helmstetter, grandchildren Margaret Tato McCartan and husband Will, Emily Tato DeMarco and husband Brad, Patrick Armstrong and wife Dallas, Courtney Armstrong and partner Joseph Irwin, Jon Helmstetter and wife Kayla, Nick Helmstetter and her caregiver Helen. Marge will be missed by her great grandchildren Lily and Annie McCartan, William, Evelyn, Katherine and Thomas Armstrong, Sage Rose Irwin, Penelope and Madelyn Helmstetter and baby boy DeMarco on the way. Margaret was predeceased by her sister Lucille Ringi and brother Frank Salsano.

Visiting hours will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, June 22, at Galante Funeral Home, 2800 Morris Ave in Union, NJ. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Michael the Archangel Church in Union at 10:15 am on Tuesday, June 23. Burial will follow at Saint Teresa of Avila Cemetery in Summit, NJ. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.