Community Mourning Tragic Loss Of Retired Central Bucks Teacher

DOYLESTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Doylestown community is mourning the tragic death of a retired Central Bucks teacher who was killed on Monday when she was hit by a DART bus at the Bucks County Free Library in Doylestown.

Katherine "Kitty" Semisch had taught English for more than two decades at Central Bucks High School West before retiring in 2021.

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"Kitty devoted 27 years to public education, nearly all of them in our classrooms," Central Bucks Superintendent Joanna Wexler said in a letter to the community about her death. "Generations of students and colleagues knew her as the teacher who made literature come alive, especially in her Advanced Placement Literature courses, where she challenged young people to read closely, think deeply, and find their own voices. She had a particular love for poetry, and she believed that great writing could help us understand ourselves and one another a little better."

Wexler said Semisch's connection to CB went beyond her classroom.

"She called Doylestown home for many years. She was a strong voice and supporter of public education, educators, and students," said Wexler. "Even in retirement, she remained engaged in the life of our school system and community, co-founding Advocates for Inclusive Education and bringing neighbors together to listen to and learn from one another."

Wexler said support and counseling is being made available at all of its buildings, including Central Bucks West High School, where Semisch had worked.

"On behalf of the entire district, our deepest sympathies and condolences are with Kitty's family members, friends, and the many former students and colleagues whose lives she touched," said Wexler.

Semisch was recently featured in the PBS docuseries "Bucks County USA" directed by Robert May and Barry Levinson.

"Our entire producing team is devastated by the tragic passing of Kitty," the directors wrote on Facebook. "Kitty opened her life to us with generosity and grace, and she inspired everyone she met, on camera and off. Her warmth and conviction are woven into Bucks County, USA, and we will carry them with us. To her family and friends, we extend our deepest sympathy, we hold you in our hearts."

Planned Parenthood's Rainbow Room posted, "We are heartbroken by the passing of Kitty, a longtime friend and supporter of the Rainbow Room."

Kitty served on the board of Planned Parenthood Association of Bucks County (PPABC) and was "a passionate supporter of creating safe, welcoming spaces for LGBTQ+ young people," the organizations posted. "As a teacher at Central Bucks West, she was a safe and supportive presence for countless students, and her commitment to LGBTQ+ youth extended far beyond the classroom. She was also a tireless advocate for inclusive schools and against book bans.

"We are grateful for all the ways Kitty supported our community and the young people who make it so special. Her kindness, advocacy, and impact will not be forgotten.Our hearts are with her family, friends, former students, colleagues, and everyone who loved her

According to the Central Bucks Regional Police Department, Semisch was crossing the circle in front of the library around 3 p.m. when she was hit by a Bucks County Transport DART bus traveling around the circle.

Semisch was transported to Penn Medicine Doylestown Health, where she was pronounced dead.

The Bucks County Coroner's office on Wednesday reported that Semisch, 67, died from blunt impact injuries to the torso as a result of being struck by the bus. They classified the manner of death as accidental.

The Central Bucks Regional Police Department and the Bucks County District Attorney's Office crash team are investigating the accident.

This is the second reported fatality this year involving a bus operated by Bucks County Transport, a private, non-profit corporation that provides shared ride transportation services for Bucks County residents.

The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is continuing to investigate the death of an 83-year-old Doylestown man who was struck by a Bucks County Transport bus in the parking lot of Grundy Hall in August.

Doylestown Township Police responded to the retirement home located off of Easton Road on August 12 at 9:21 p.m. for an accident.

Police did not release details of the accident, the identity of the driver, or the victim, and the DA's office said it will not be releasing any information until it has completed its investigation.

The man who was struck was taken to Abington Hospital, where he was pronounced dead by the Montgomery County Coroner's office.

According to the coroner's office, Ronald Davenport died from multiple blunt force injuries as a result of the accident. He was 83-years-old.