Anna Castor Glenn, widow of U.S. Senator and Astronaut John Glenn, died Tuesday, May 19 near St. Paul, Minnesota. She was 100 years old.
Dr. Barb Hansen, Executive Director of The John & Annie Glenn Museum in New Concord, fondly remembers the Glenns and her experiences with Annie.
Anna Margaret Castor Glenn was celebrated at The John & Annie Glenn Museum for her 100 birthday. The celebration was held Feb. 17, 2020.
Hansen told a story of how the Glenns came to East Muskingum Schools for an elementary school graduation. John Glenn spoke a few words and after the event, kids and their families lined up to meet the Glenns.
“The Glenns stood in line no matter how long it took. They always brought excitement to people. They were just so easy to talk to,” said Hansen.
Hansen spoke highly about Glenn and the legacy she left.
“When I think about Annie, there are so many things I could talk about. There is one word to describe who she was as a person and that is remarkable, especially in her courage,” said Hansen.
The John & Annie Glenn Museum, in recognition of Annie Glenn and her passing on May 19, placed a flower wreath outside of John Glenn’s boyhood home on Main Street.
The museum is working over the summer to memorialize her legacy in the museum with a gallery of photos from her childhood and adulthood as well as other memorabilia.
“When I heard that she passed, I was sad. However, we all knew when someone is 100 their days are numbered. Her death is a call to a greater responsibility. The museum wants to keep her legacy alive,” said Hansen.
Glenn was born Feb. 17, 1920 in Columbus, OH. Glenn’s family moved to New Concord in 1923. She graduated from Muskingum College in 1942 with majors in music and education. She was known as an excellent organ player. Glenn also played the trombone.
Wedding photograph of Annie Castor and John Glenn, 1943.
Glenn was accepted into The Juilliard School of Music. She did not attend school and instead married John on April 6, 1943, following his announcement that he would be going to war as a fighter pilot.
Glenn had an 85% stutter. At the age of 53, Glenn attended a 100-hour treatment course at Hollins Research Institute in 1973 for speech therapy, led by Ronald Webster. Glenn was one of the first 100 participants to complete the course.
In the video “Out of Silence: The Annie Glenn Story” produced by the Muskingum Communication, Media, & Theatre Department, Glenn discussed a tender moment with John regarding her treatment.
“We were to make a telephone call. I made one to John and he couldn’t believe it [regarding her progress]. I could tell it really touched him,” said Glenn.
This portrait, among others of John and Annie Glenn is on display at The John & Annie Glenn Museum. Other photos include photos of the couple over several decades.
In 1995, Glenn gave a Muskingum University commencement speech regarding overcoming hardships, which was given praise, a standing ovation, and national news recognition.
Following her treatment, Glenn became an advocate for speech disorders and disabilities and became the principle spokesperson for the National Association for Speech and Hearing Action.
Glenn also received the first national award of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The association named “The Annie” award in her honor due to her commitment to speech disorders and disabilities.
Glenn remained involved at Muskingum University. A trustee emerita since 2006, she served as a trustee beginning in 1981 and became a Distinguished Alumni Professor in Public Affairs in 1998.
She received a Muskingum Alumni Association Distinguished Service Award in 1981 and an honorary Muskingum Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1995.
Annie Glenn, an advocate for people with communication disabilities, won the award for “Best Practices” in Speech-Language Pathology in 2003.
Muskingum University President Susan S. Hasseler commented on the Glenns and their impact on her life, Muskingum University, and New Concord.
“I came to Muskingum in the summer of 2016. I had the real privilege of meeting with Senator and Mrs. Glenn in October of that fall. So, I got to talk to him in person before he passed away. The two of them were there and it was absolutely delightful. They shared memories of their time at Muskingum. They interacted with one another and what I have heard and observed is that they had such an immense respect for one another. John was much more in the limelight, but she [Annie] was such a strong and vibrant personality that when they were together, they were very much partners,” said Hasseler.
Hasseler reflected on Glenn’s life and personality.
“I think she had such amazing courage and resiliency. She faced a lot of challenges, but she maintained her personal confidence. She maintained a public presence that took amazing courage and she did this with this wonderful sense of humor. I think they [John and Annie] had a really solid grounding in what mattered, and I think she lived that out with such courage and resiliency and such a commitment to others,” said Hasseler.
Sen. John H. Glenn and wife Annie at the groundbreaking for The John & Annie Glenn Museum.
New Concord Mayor Jennifer Lyle said, “in so many ways, Annie embodied the strength, perseverance, intelligence, kindness, compassion and love we all strive to have. We send special condolences to her cousin [in-law], Jane Castor.”
Lyle said New Concord residents join Ohioans and fellow Americans to remember Glenn. “A few of us in New Concord grew up with Annie, others had the good fortune to see her regularly throughout the years, and still others met her just once or twice. But all of us were impacted forever by this remarkable woman. All of us know how special she made each person feel, no matter the circumstance,” said Lyle.
There is a virtual memorial service for Glenn scheduled for Saturday, June 6 at 11 a.m., officiated by the Rev. Amy Miracle of the Broad Street Presbyterian Church in Columbus.
The John & Annie Glenn Museum is planning an event to honor Glenn’s life. Due to COVID-19, the museum is waiting to hold the ceremony until more information about public gatherings becomes available.
