The Life of Glen Diehl Belmont
“Coach Glen” Belmont
Feb. 23, 1933 – Aug. 9, 2019
Glen Belmont 86 of Orwigsburg passed away peacefully with her husband Paul “Jeri” Belmont at her side after a courageous battle with cancer.
Born February 23, 1933 in Philadelphia to Ora Louise Cooper and Glen Walter Deihl both graduates of Bucknell University. Glen’s father was an All-American football player and Hall of Fame standout at Bucknell. He would go on to play for the Frankfurt Yellow Jackets which later became the Philadelphia Eagles. Glen’s younger brother John played football for the University of Virginia and was then drafted to the NFL in 1958 by the Baltimore Colts. He played in the NFL until 1965. Glen herself was in the football spotlight being featured in Life Magazine for kicking a football 50 yards in her bare feet.
Glen’s athletic career however was in swimming. She swam varsity for Temple University where she received a degree in secondary education. Glen competitively swam events into her seventies earning gold medals at both the Keystone State games and Virginia Senior Olympic Games, qualifying for the National Senior Olympics. She went on to place fourth, fifth, seventh, and ninth among former Olympic swimmers in San Antonio Texas in 1995. She then went on to win four gold medals at the Virginia Games at age 65.
Glen was extremely proud of her years teaching at the Mastbaum High School in inner city Philadelphia where she was named Teacher of the Year several times. Her summers when not teaching were spent as both swim team coach and swim instructor at St. Francis Center, Long Beach Island, New Jersey. Even in retirement, Glen combined her passion for teaching and swimming and became a much beloved swim instructor and coach at Blue Mountain. A fixture on the Schuylkill County Swim scene, Coach Glen who was also PIAA swim official left quite a legacy even having the new Blue Mountain scoreboard named after her.
In addition to her parents, Glen is preceded in death by her three siblings; Claire, Mike and John, and also a daughter Wendi.
Glen is survived by her husband Paul “Jeri”, two daughters, one son, seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. She will be missed by never forgotten.
A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday August 24 at Grabowski Funeral Home, Schuylkill Haven. Family and friends are welcome from 9:00 A.M. until the start of services. In lieu of flowers the family requests donation to Hospice VNA – Shamokin, 21 W Independence St, Shamokin, PA 17872. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.grabowskifuneralhome.com
Filter Glen Diehl Belmont's Timeline by the following Memory Categories
2007.04.01
"Carpe Diem"
I had the pleasure of first knowing Coach Glen as a PIAA swimming official when I swam on the Tamaqua Swim Team from 2004-2007. As a high school athlete PIAA officials can be intimidating but you would never feel that way with Glen. She would always greet us with a smile and applaud our team cheers and chants before the meets. During the summers I was an assistant swim coach for Tamaqua's youth team were again I had the privilege being with Glen as the Coach of the Blue Mt. youth team. Again we would always be greeted with a smile and a "how are you doing" she recognized us as her student athletes. Looking back now she was a joy to be around and learn from. She was invited to my team’s end of season swim banquet as a guest speaker my senior year. Regretfully I don’t remember her speech however she did have a gift for all the seniors. A book "Furry Logic: A guide to Life's Little Challenges" by Jane Seabrook. Inside the front cover she simply wrote "Carpe Diem". From the little time I got to spend with Coach Glen I believe she lived by that motto. My last comment will be a page from the book Glen gave me "Too much of a good thing...can be wonderful". To Glen's wonderful life.
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2019.08.20
Your drawings
I remember the first time I met you and Paul you told me that I had a nice smile and I was a sweet and funny girl. Crying at the moment writing this. I remember you used to always draw on your napkins a house and you and Paul and a sun everyday and then you would write thank you on the napkin. I became close to you and Paul you both were like family to me before I’d leave I’d say I love you and you would always be on me with what I needed to do when I would tell you I had something to do why because I’m a procrastinator. You’ve always showed me how strong you were and you were the boss lady my friend the grandmother I always wanted you always checked on me and I always checked on you and the boss man. We all miss you so much glen you would always tell us I don’t know how you girls do it but you girls do a wonderful job. A’Miah loved seeing you and boss man. Thank you for everything you taught me. Also thanks for being my beautiful butterfly. I love you so much and miss you even more. Especially our talks about my plans for the future and when you encouraged me to come back so you could see my face more. I always told you that you weren’t allowed to leave me but I know how strong you were and now thinking back from the time when I said that it was before I left for my cna classes that was pretty selfish. I apologize but I want to thank you for helping me grow into a better friend/mother and daughter most of all. I’ll make sure I’m watching over pop for you I promise. You always had a glow on you and such a warm heart you were loved by everyone and will always be loved by all of us
2019.08.20
Lasting Impact
Anyone who had the opportunity to know or speak with Glen has had their lives forever impacted. Wonderful person, coach, friend, and forever inspiring to those who new her. Her persona is forever imprinted at Blue Mountain Pool and the swimmers she coached and kids she taught to swim. Love you Glen...God Bless!
2019.08.23
The Lucky Neighbor
Our family was fortunate to have moved in next door to Glen and Jerry when we first came to Pennsylvania. At the time we had no idea that we would become so close to our neighbors. We shared many tea dates and pirogies! Glen would always joke that Jerry didn't like our baked goods so she could get the larger share! Our friendship grew as our girls starting swimming lessons and Glen became their swim coach. The memories and laughter of Glen jumping into the pool fully clothed during their practices became a happy and funny memory. Glen inspired the girl's love for swimming as they refused any other coach but Glen! Glen taught them perservance, determination and most importantly to always belive in yourself.
2019.09.08
The Matos Connection
Hoping Jeri (or someone that can let him know I wrote this, Wendi? will get this to Jeri and give him my phone# as I would love to speak with himi.
I am Roberto Matos SR and my children are April, Jennifer and Bobby. Back in the late 1960's I attended Mastbaum and met Glen. Through her I met Jeri for whom I worked for a few years. Needless to say I was immediately drawn into the Belmont family. I was his warehouse manager at the time..... Shortly after I married and moved to CA returning a year or so later, I reconnected with the Belmonts. We spent much time at the beach and at their home and have many fond memories of Glen and Jeri. My current wife and I came upon the information on Glen's passing by coincidence. My wife was looking in the Mastbaum alumuni site for someone else and happened upon the Memorial on Glen there! We were stunned as my wife had Glen for PE for 3 years at Mastbaum and also knew her and loved her. We live in Fla now and couldn't have attended services/memorial but want Jeri to know that we both have fond memories of Glen and will never forget her kind spirit. My kids remember the summers with the Belmont. They always left you with a sense of caring and love. WENDI, please give my phone# to your dad if he remembers me and ask him to call me, or maybe you could call me! 407-539-4533. We haven't spoken since 1990. Love, peace and may Glen RIP . Gone, but certainly not forgotten.