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.

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Funeral Services

A viewing will be held on Monday, January 19, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Chandler Funeral Home, 2506 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803 and on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow Mass at St. Annes Cemetery, 1610 Allenwood Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719.

Condolences

Molly Wadsworth writes,

Dear Mattina and Walker families: I am so sorry for your loss. While I didn't know Gail, I feel that I knew her due to all the family photos on Facebook. Please know that I am thinking of all of you during this difficult time. She will always be in your heart.

01/13/2026 04:00 pm

Grace Hernandez lit a candle and writes,

We love all of y'all so much and hope this period of grief visits with grace, and comfort knowing she is loved by so many people.

01/13/2026 05:28 pm

Mary webster writes,

Cait (and family) I’m so sorry to hear that your gram passed. I pass her house often and have thought of you and your family. She was very well loved by your whole clan, always looking out for her. Will keep your family in my thoughts and prayers.

01/13/2026 08:09 pm

Tracy & Chris Fish writes,

Much love to your family. We were sad to hear about Gail’s passing. But how nice to read about her life, as she had quite a full and great life! Her life was made all the greater and more special, by your entire family staying close to her. We always loved seeing all the fun photo’s of her with your family and friends. She was always smiling in those photo’s. You and your family gave her a wonderful life, and through her daughters, their spouses, and all the grand children, and great grandchildren, it was filled with love! Love to each of you! Tracy & Chris

01/14/2026 10:02 am

Betty Jean Boyd writes,

She was a beloved member of Chesapeake Bay Girl Scouts and many remember her and all the time she invested in leading a troop, being a member of the Fall School Team. coming to many meetings and volunteering to help when needed. What fond memories of her and all she has done for the Council and her troops. We will remember her sitting around a fire circle at Grove Point or checking in participants at Fall School in September each year "Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."

01/14/2026 10:32 am

Cathy Deluke Stamegna writes,

Cathy, Chris, Lizzy, Brady and family, I am sorry about your mom/grandmom. She was a definite presence in the community and ministered to so many with her talents.

01/14/2026 11:00 am

Susan Heiss writes,

Cathy and family, I am so sorry to hear about Gail. I saw her several years ago at the Ursuline HOF banquet. Gail was being honored as Ursuline's swim coach. So very well deserved. Gail gave all of herself- her time and energy and her love- to so many of her beloved swimmers. I am truly grateful to have known her and worked with her. It was an honor. Susan Heiss

01/14/2026 11:28 am

Frank Thomas writes,

my deepest condolences to the family of Gail P. Glynn, words of comfort can be read in the Bible books of Revelation 21:3,4 and John 5:28,29 here the scriptures is to let all know that soon God is going to due completely away with all sicknesses and death, also in the book of Isaiah 33:24 it tells us that very soon NO ONE at anytime will be saying “I am sick.”

01/14/2026 12:14 pm

Carmelann Barry lit a candle and writes,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sorrow. May your family find comfort in the memories that were shared throughout her journey in life.

01/14/2026 12:47 pm

Kissel Family writes,

Cathy, Terry and your families, you know how much Gail has meant to the Kissel family. Were it not for her Meghann and Shannon may have stood shivering on the side of the pool, never have left the starting blocks. Her gentle nature and words of encouragement made a 6 & U jump in to swim the 50 free leg of the 18 & U relay, knowing Gail would be there to fish her out at the end. Gail exemplified these qualities in all aspects of her life. Always giving, caring, and making a difference in the lives of those she encountered. We are all so much better and “richer” for having had Gail in our lives. It has been our honor to call her friend. We wish you peace, comfort, and support. We deeply regret that we will miss the Visitation and Mass, as we are out of town.

01/15/2026 12:30 pm

Sr. Jeanne Cashman, OSU writes,

Dear Terry, Cathy and families, I was so sorry to learn of your Mom's death. She was a great woman - well, both your parents were great! - which is why we always expected so much of you. I'll be thinking of and praying for all of you in the days and months ahead. Sending much love, Sr. Jeanne

01/18/2026 12:19 pm

Sally Schuren writes,

46 years ago I entered into to Blascak & Obester families, when I moved to NJ from NYC, when I moved next to Gail's Mother, Helen and stepfather, Don Blascak. Immediately, Mother & I were warmly welcomed into both families and enjoyed the stories and hospitality of both, especially the frequent visits of Gail and Gene, from Delaware. Gail would always share her stories of swim classes and camping with the children, with whom she so lovingly enjoyed teaching and delighted in, as she watched them grow! She will be missed by so many for her Kind, Loving ways, as I, will also miss her visits and how her eyes lite up as she shared her many wonderful experiences with her own loving family and the children she taught in so many ways! RIP, Gail.

01/18/2026 01:14 pm

Darla & Tyler Wilson writes,

The Glynn family and the Wilson family have lived next door to each other in Chalfonte (Wilm, Del.) since 1974. As longtime neighbors, the paths of our two families have crossed many times over the years. Along the way, Gail was always upbeat, smiling, curious about how the members of our family were progressing, and often doing something interesting or going somewhere with her extended family. In a more recent coincidence, for the last couple years, Gail and our mother, Nancy, found themselves once again neighbors at the Lodge Lane Assisted Living and Memory Care facility. Invariably, during our visits with Mom, we would find Gail full of energy (relative to many of the other residents) and doing a puzzle, playing a game, or moving around the grounds in her rollator—again, always cheerful, kind to our mother, and indefatigable in spirit and curiosity. We will miss Gail--our neighbor and friend. Our condolences go out to Terry and Cathy and their families. Darla, Tyler & Nancy Wilson

01/19/2026 02:55 pm

Betty Ann Themal writes,

Dear Terry and Kathy, I'm sorry I was not able to attend the services for your mother. At 98 (as of March 2026 -10 days before Gail's birthday ) I'm not as agile as I used to be. Your mother and I became close friends for many years as we spent many weekends teaching camping training to Girl Scout leaders. We did a good job ; we were a great team. May many fond and happy memories of your life with your Mom comfort you at this difficult time. Sending you my deepest sympathy. Betty Ann Themal

01/20/2026 07:55 pm

Michelle Jackson writes,

My sincere condolences to your family. I got to hear many of Mrs. Gail’s stories from when she was a swim coach. Mrs. Gail motivated me to walk more as she was always going out walking and spoke dearly of her family. I pray you all have peace and comfort during this time.

01/24/2026 08:44 am

Michelle Coulter writes,

I wanted to express my sympathy to Gail’s family. I met her as a member of Silverside Pool where she would lovingly care for the Walker children and cheer on all the swimmers. I reconnected with her in the final years of her long life when she resided at Lodge Lane and Kutz Home where my father also lived. I greatly enjoyed my conversations with Gail as she told me updates about all of her grandchildren, shared stories of her coaching days or simply chatted about her day. What a gift she was to all those who were lucky to cross paths with her. May your memories be a blessing!

02/20/2026 06:35 am

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