Margaret Walling, 12, Succumbs to Brain Cancer

A courageous pre-teen from Hackettstown lost her battle with cancer Saturday, sending a family and community into mourning.

Margaret Walling, 12, succumbed to brain cancer and died peacefully at home, her obituary said.

Walling was a member of Girl Scout Troop 900 in Hackettstown and a parishioner at Our Lady of the Mountain Church in Long Valley. She enjoyed riding her bike in the park and playing field hockey, the obituary said, and she was especially fond of horse riding.

She is survived by her parents, Christopher and Donna, and her brother Joseph, along with many extended family members.

The community rallied around Walling in the last year, hosting fundraisers for the girl in the form of Karaoke dance parties, golf outings, wiffle ball tournaments, and fun runs.

An organization to create the events was established, named Smiles for Margaret. On the organization’s Facebook page, Donna Walling said:

“With a very heavy heart I am sharing that my beautiful Margaret passed away at home in our arms. Her spirit will live in each one of you through the kind and loving acts that your do in her memory. I thank God that I was able to raise Margaret for 12 years. She was a GREAT kid.”

Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of the Mountain Church on Schooley’s Mountain. A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. at the same church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to smilesformargaret.org or mailed to Fulton Bank of New Jersey, 24-26 Route 517 in Hackettstown, New Jersey, 07840.