Katherine “Kitty” Semisch Obituary: Central Bucks West English Teacher Dies After Fatal Doylestown Bus Collision

Katherine “Kitty” Semisch, a longtime Central Bucks West English teacher, died after being struck by a Bucks County Transport bus outside the Doylestown library. Her students and colleagues remember her lasting influence on literature education.

Katherine “Kitty” Semisch Remembered by Central Bucks Community

Katherine “Kitty” Semisch, a longtime English teacher at Central Bucks West High School in Pennsylvania, has died following a pedestrian collision involving a Bucks County Transport bus in Doylestown. Her death on November 2, 2026, has prompted an outpouring of sadness among former students, colleagues and members of the wider Central Bucks community.

Semisch devoted more than two decades to teaching English, including Advanced Placement Literature. She was remembered for her enthusiasm for books, her commitment to education and her ability to make classroom discussions engaging and memorable.

Her daughter, Lucy MacNichol, reportedly confirmed the death in a Facebook post, according to the account supplied in published coverage. The news has brought renewed attention to Semisch’s influence on generations of students.

What Happened to Katherine Semisch in Doylestown?

According to Central Bucks Regional Police, the collision occurred at approximately 3 p.m. on November 2 outside the Bucks County Free Library at 150 South Pine Street in Doylestown.

Semisch was crossing the circular driveway in front of the library when a bus traveling around the circle struck her. She was taken to Doylestown Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Police said the investigation involved assistance from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office Crash Team.

Cause of Death and Coroner’s Findings

The Bucks County Coroner’s Office determined that Semisch died from blunt impact injuries to the torso. Her death was classified as accidental, according to reports published by 6abc and Daily Voice.

Although the coroner established the medical cause and manner of death, the full circumstances of the collision remained under investigation in the reports available at the time of writing. No complete account of the events immediately before the impact had been released.

A Teaching Career That Spanned More Than Two Decades

Semisch spent approximately 25 years teaching at Central Bucks West High School as part of a 27-year career in public education. She retired in 2021 but remained involved in education and community discussions.

Central Bucks School District Superintendent Joanna Wexler remembered her as an educator who made literature come alive, particularly for students in her Advanced Placement Literature classes. Her teaching encouraged students to read carefully, think critically and develop their own voices.

Her commitment to education also extended beyond the classroom. Semisch co-founded Advocates for Inclusive Education, an organization focused on inclusion and educational practices, and remained a vocal supporter of public education and students.

Remembering Kitty Semisch Beyond the Classroom

Semisch was also featured in the PBS documentary series Bucks County, USA, which explored political disagreements and their effects on relationships within the Central Bucks School District community.

In the series, she spoke about her years teaching in public schools and the changes she witnessed in the district. Her participation reflected her willingness to discuss difficult community issues and encourage conversations across differences.

Following her death, tributes from the documentary’s production team and members of the community remembered her generosity, conviction and warmth. Her legacy includes not only the lessons she taught but also her continued involvement in the community after retirement.

A Loss for the Central Bucks Community

For former students and colleagues, Semisch’s influence remains connected to the books she introduced, the discussions she encouraged and the encouragement she offered throughout her teaching career.

Her death has left family, friends and members of the Central Bucks community mourning a longtime educator whose work reached generations of students.

Disclaimer

This article draws on reports attributed to Central Bucks Regional Police, the Bucks County Coroner’s Office and local news organizations. The coroner’s findings identify the cause of death as blunt impact injuries to the torso and classify the manner of death as accidental.

There are conflicting age references in early coverage: some initial reports described the victim as 69, while later reports citing the coroner identified Katherine “Kitty” Semisch as 67. This article uses the later coroner-reported age. The investigation into the collision was still ongoing in the reports reviewed.