It is with deep sadness that we share that our longtime Physical Education teacher, Mrs. Julie Bucher, passed away peacefully on December 11th. Mrs. Bucher served the Gladwyne community with extraordinary dedication for more than 25 years. She joined Gladwyne in November 1998 and remained a constant, uplifting presence in our school until May 2024, when she stepped away to focus on her health. She retired at the start of this school year.
Mrs. Bucher knew every student’s name. She cared deeply about their well-being and took great pride in helping them grow stronger, more confident and more connected to healthy habits. She was a positive force for countless children and families.
When she was nominated for the 2016 Philadelphia Magazine Be Well Philly Health Hero Award, she shared a message that captured what she believed and how she lived, saying, “For many years I have used the phrase ‘make good choices.’ If you think about it, the decisions we make on a daily basis have positive or negative consequences. Remember that there is only one you!”
Her strength, optimism, and commitment to students made a lasting impact on our school. She was a role model, an exceptional colleague and a treasured friend to many. Her passing leaves a significant void in our Gladwyne community.
Please consider making a donation in her memory which will go towards the new Gladwyne Elementary Playground Initiative.
Gladwyne Elementary HSA is a 501(c)3 organization as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
