PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Nothing, not even Mother Nature, was going to stop Martine Beahn of Quakertown from following the Phillies.
Beahn and her youngest daughter Terry Ottinger don't remember exactly when this was, but some decades ago, Beahn was trying to watch her beloved Phillies on TV with her late friend Bud. However, there was a nasty thunderstorm that knocked out the power.
No matter. Beahn and Bud went to the car and listened to the Phillies on the radio.
That is dedication.
Fast forward to today and Beahn still watches her Phils. This time, she's in her recliner at Independence Court of Quakertown — a senior community that offers assisted living — as sharp as a Zack Wheeler fastball.
"I'm rooting for them," Beahn says. "So if they're winning, then I say Happy Day."
At 99 years young, Beahn is one of the Phillies' longest-running fans — having been one for seven decades.
'An inspiration on work ethic'
Born in 1924, Beahn grew up in Zionhill, Pa, near Quakertown. Ottinger says her father worked for Mack Trucks, but there were layoffs off and on, so Beahn went to work.
"She has been an inspiration on work ethic, and she held many different jobs," Ottinger said.
For many years she was a businesswoman for Woolworth. But her husband died in his late 50s, and she became a widow at 55. She has lived a life of independence with a variety of skills — from crocheting to piano. If you give Beahn a movie or Broadway score, she could play it beautifully, says her youngest of three daughters.
In addition to being a mother of three, Beahn is a grandmother to six and great grandmother to three — Grammy Beahn.
It was only four years ago when Beahn moved into her senior community, and it's there where her lifelong commitment to thoughtfulness and selflessness continues. Ottinger says it comes from her faith.
But for a woman who is now blind in one eye, she has no "woe is me." She has no secret to being 99 either.
Beahn considers herself lucky, while seeing so many of her peers not possess the level of awareness she has.
"I see so many here who don't know what's going on," Beahn said. "And I thank God that I see a day as it is. Some days it's good and some days it's not so good, but we do as we can."
She stays sharp by reading as best she can, watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune, and playing Bingo. And of course, there are her Fightin' Phils.
'The TV goes on and the volume goes up and she's engaged with the game'
If Beahn isn't home and the Phils are about to start, well, it's time to head back to Independence Court.
"That is important that she gets her Phillies time in," says Ottinger.
Beahn loves the Phils because it's a way to spend time and converse with her family, many of whom are fans just like her. With the late start times of some of these games, Beahn doesn't always stay awake for all of them, but she's still there.
"The TV goes on and the volume goes up and she's engaged with the game," her daughter explains.
Sometimes the volume is a little too loud for her peers, so when they ask to have that turned down, she'll close the door and try to turn it lower to accommodate.
One of her favorite players is Kyle Schwarber because of his ability to hit home runs. She also mentioned catcher J.T. Realmuto. Her family likes the team as well. In the end, it brings them together and that makes her happy.
Getting close to a major milestone
If you have a chat with Beahn, you'd notice that she thinks like professional athletes — very much in the now. The reason is that Beahn recently turned 99 on September 27. And while her family is anticipating a big Phillies-themed celebration for 100 in a little less than a year, she — naturally — reverts to her selfless ways.
"It would be wonderful," Beahn said to reach 100, "but it's not an absolute. We don't know which day is our last, but we will do whatever we can to help other people. And if we can help a patient here or a friend coming in, or my family, it's important to me [to help others.]"
"I'm confident she's going to see 100," Ottinger said. "And we've told her already that it is going to be a Phillies celebration. We're going to figure out how we can make this celebration for her red and white Phillie-generated."
In the meantime, Beahn will enjoy this current Red October in her recliner, hoping Schwarber sends another baseball to the moon and that her beloved Phillies win.
"I would certainly be very happy," Beahn said. "I'd be excited. I hope they do. Thank you for this conversation."
