Katherine “Kitty” Semisch, a retired Central Bucks West High School English teacher and community advocate, died after a bus struck her outside the Doylestown library on Monday, Nov. 2.
The coroner identified Semisch as 67, according to the Bucks County Herald’s updated report. That identification supersedes the age of 69 carried in initial reporting.
Police said the crash occurred around 3 p.m. as Semisch crossed the circular drive in front of the Bucks County Free Library at 150 S. Pine St. She was taken to Doylestown Hospital, where she died, according to Central Bucks News.
The coroner ruled the death an accident caused by blunt force injuries, NBC10 reported. No charges had been filed at the time of that report, and the investigation remained ongoing. A coroner’s manner-of-death ruling does not establish legal responsibility for the collision.
A teacher and community advocate
Semisch taught English for more than two decades and was a certified librarian. After retirement, she continued attending school board meetings and helped establish Advocates for Inclusive Education, according to Central Bucks News.
She served on the board of the Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County and supported LGBTQ+ young people through her involvement with the Rainbow Room. She also appeared in the PBS documentary series “Bucks County, USA,” about political divisions in the Central Bucks community, Central Bucks News reported.
The district described her commitment to students and literature in a tribute reported by Patch. Superintendent Joanna Wexler said Semisch devoted 27 years to public education and remained engaged with the community after retiring. The district made counseling and support available in its schools.
Central Bucks Regional Police and the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office Crash Team were investigating the Nov. 2 collision, according to Central Bucks News.
