Doris E. Steadman

Doris E. Steadman

AGE: 88 • Ocean Grove

Doris E. Steadman, 88, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013. She was currently residing in Ocean Grove, but formerly lived in Monmouth Beach and Deal. Doris was a champion swimmer, who had set 15 world records and 27 national records throughout her senior years. She was a record holder as a teenager, and then began swimming in masters competitions at age 58. She was ranked as an "All-American" 121 times, which meant that she had the fastest time in the country for her age during that year for a particular event. Doris specialized in the backstroke. Doris received her college degree from Temple University in Pennsylvania in 1944, and then was inducted in to the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981. During her childhood, Doris lived in Philadelphia, PA, but moved to Deal, NJ in 1956, and lived there for most of her years, before moving to Monmouth Beach, and then Ocean Grove. Doris spent her entire adult life within sight of the ocean, with most of that time in her "pink house on the cliff" in Deal, with her family.

In her professional career, she served as Administrative Assistant to her husband, Dick Steadman, the former Swimming, Diving & Water Polo Coach at Monmouth University. Throughout her years, Doris assisted thousands of children of all ages to learn to swim, at Monmouth University, the Deal Casino and Allenhurst Beach Club. Doris had met her husband, while she was working as a lifeguard in Philadelphia and he was serving in the United States Army and stationed for a time in Philadelphia. The two of them spent their life together in or around the water - teaching swimming, promoting water safety, and instilling the love of the water and the fascination and enjoyment of the ocean in their children.

Doris is survived by her four children, Billy Steadman and his wife, Linda Lines Steadman of Toms River, Nancy Steadman Martin of Oceanport, Rick Steadman of Oakhurst, and Susan Steadman LeGlise and her husband, Jack LeGlise of Deer Mountain, Utah. She is also survived by two granddaughters, Amy Rotchford of Williamstown, and Leslie Oppenheim of Oakhurst. She was predeceased by husband of 44 years, Dick Steadman in 1991; by her daughter-in-law, Carol Oppenheim Steadman in 1998; and her son-in-law, Dick Martin, in 2009.

Donations can be made in Doris's memory to the International Swimming Hall of Fame, One Hall of Fame Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL, c/o Bob Duenkel; or to Swimming Saves Lives Foundation, at http://www.usms.org/giving, or call Susan Kuhlman at 800-550-7946 ext. 305 or controller@usms.org. You can visit Doris' Memorial website at www.JohnEDayFuneralHome.com.