Gail P. Glynn

Gail Patricia Glynn, 89, died on January 8, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Gail was born in 1936, the middle child of Dr. Gabriel E. Obester and Mrs. Helen Obester of Elizabeth, NJ. She graduated from St. Catherine’s Grammar School in Hillside, NJ, in 1949 and Benedictine Academy, Elizabeth, NJ, in 1953. Gail then excelled at St. Peter’s School of Nursing, New Brunswick, NJ, becoming a registered nurse in 1956. She worked as an ER and an OR nurse at the Alexian Brothers Hospital.

On October 1, 1960, Gail married Eugene F. Glynn. Soon the two purchased a home in Avon-by-the-Sea, NJ, in order to start their family. Gail became a stay-at-home mom to her 2 daughters, and was very active in Avon Grammar School’s PTA, Girl Scouts, and other community groups. Eventually, Gail began helping with the Avon Swim Team, teaching her young “towel team” the basics of competitive swimming.

Her passion for teaching and coaching swimming continued to grow, even when the family moved to Wilmington, DE in 1974. She taught/coached thousands of Delaware swimmers over the years at Silverside Swim Club, the Jewish Community Center, the Brandywine YMCA, and other venues. Her coaching achievements culminated in her being honored as the head coach of Ursuline Academy who led the team to win 5 consecutive State Championships in the 1980s.

Later in life, Gail was active in the Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council’s Birthday Chapter and the Widows Group at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.
Besides her parents, Gail was predeceased by her husband, Eugene, her granddaughter, Emily Walker, her brother, Gabe Obester, her brother-in-law, Ralph McMillan, her stepfather Stanley Blascak, and stepbrother and sister-in-law, Don and Joanne Blascak.

She is survived by her daughters, Theresa Mattina (Charles) and Catherine Walker (Stephen); her beloved grandchildren, Robert Mattina, Caitlyn Walker (Randon Kersteen), Joseph Mattina (Grace), Philip Mattina, Brandon Walker (Helene Episcopo), Christopher Walker, Elizabeth Walker and Brady Walker; her great grandchildren, Vienna Mattina, Alexander Mattina, Madeline Walker, Anne Walker, and Theodore Mattina; her sister, Audrey Behrens (Johann); sisters-in-law, Grace Glynn McMillan and Ceil Obester, and a host of loving nieces and nephews.