Obituary of Blanche Kathryn Glenn

Blanche Kathryn Glenn went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on April 20, 2024. She was in her home with family. She had a 5 month battle with colon cancer, during which time she always said, "I'm fine". Blanche was born April 18, 1930 to Elmer and Grace Harper in Frederick, Maryland. During the Great Depression, she lived with an aunt and uncle because her family was poor.  She had two sisters, Earlyne and Faye. Blanche started work as soon as she could at the age of 15 at the "Five and Dime" store. The day after graduation from high school, she started working at the Pentagon as a secretary.  Through church, Blanche met and married her first husband, Leonard Foltz and had two children, Larry and Lisa. She started work for the C.I.A and lived overseas in Germany, Tehran, Iran and Taipei, Taiwan with her family. She enjoyed bowling, sewing, hiking, and camping. Blanche's first marriage ended in 1978. In 1982, Blanch married Jacky C. Glenn, the love of her life! She now added 2 more grown children as her own, Karen and Gary. Blanche and Jacky retired in 1984 after her 26 years with the C.I.A. and moved to Florida where they built their first home together. She and Jacky enjoyed traveling together and eventually bought a motor home. They made 4 trips to Alaska together in it.  After the third trip, Blanche wrote in an annual Christmas letter "Alaska is a beautiful state, "the last frontier" may call us back again." And indeed, it did. During her "retirement", she worked for a few years at First Baptist Winter Haven, where they were members from 1984 to 2003. She taught first grade Sunday School with her son-in-law, Tony, and sang in the choir. She enjoyed many years of singing in the annual "Living Christmas Tree." Blanche loved to host groups that came to the church and went on many youth retreats.  She was a great hostess. In 2003, Blanche became a member at Lakes Church in Lakeland, where they made many friends and enjoyed years of fellowship.  Blanche gave regularly to a local blood bank and earned her 10 gallon pin.  She was eventually told by her doctor that she needed it more than they did, so she had to quit. Blanche loved to spend time with her grandkids and could be found at soccer and baseball games and school auditoriums cheering them on.  She was their "Grammy". There were many sleepovers on the pallet on the floor next to Grammie's bed. The love she poured into them was returned many times over the years, especially in later years when she had needs.  She was always so grateful for family, but she was the best teacher. Blanche will be greatly missed. She is predeceased by her parents Elmer and Grace Harper, and sister Earlyne Lovett.  She is survived by husband, Jacky C Glenn, 4 children: Karen Lewis of Burke, Virginia, Gary (Sindy) Glenn of Bradenton, Florida, Larry (Gihan) Foltz of Winter Haven, Florida, and Lisa (Tony) Schmieg of Auburndale, Florida. There are 14 grandchildren: Heather Ferguson, Jason Lewis, Justin Glenn, Austin Glenn, Nathan Foltz, Kristen Foltz, Steven Foltz, Shane Howard, Savannah Forquer, Kathryn Schmieg, Molly Poissant, Joel Schmieg, Laura Schmieg, and Elijah Schmieg. Also 14 great grandchildren, 1 sister Faye Hummer of Alexandria, Virginia, and 1 sister-in-law Shirley Mills of Auburndale, Florida, along with nieces, nephews and many cousins. Blanche will be greatly missed.