Educator to Be Remembered Sunday

She was there.

That was the simple statement Fran Loewensteiner made of her friend, Rochelle Semel, who died earlier this year at the age of 82. Whether it was for her friends, or as a teacher in the Morris School District for 46 years, "she was there for everyone," she said.

Now, Loewensteiner said, she wants to honor her friend, whom she knew–and walked almost daily with–for 18 years.

At 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Woodland School in Morris Township, Loewensteiner, in cooperation with the Morris School District, will hold what is being called a "Remembrance Gathering" for the teacher who, friends and co-workers say, gave everything of herself–and more–to the children.

Loewensteiner met Semel when her children began attending the Morris School District 28 years ago. The two became neighbors in Morristown 18 years ago when Semel gave her a tip on a house for sale.

And, from that point on, the two walkers became a fixture in their neighborhood.

Receiving her bachelors degree from Hunter College, Semel began her teaching career in the Morris School District in 1965, retiring in 2009 at the age of 80.

It was not a willing end to a career that spanned nearly a half-century, Loewnsteiner said, citing a still-sharp and passionate mind that had to succumb to a body that no longer could handle a day educating and nurturing young children. In the time she did teach, however, she left an indelible impression on many children and, in many cases, their children's children, her friend said.

“Mrs. Semel was the teacher all young children should have,” said Judy Geller, whose children were students of Semel. “Children were drawn to her tender, loving nature and through her learned the lifelong joy of reading and learning.”

It was that reading part Loewensteiner said was an unnaturally powerful skill that her friend imparted on young minds.

"She basically got all non-readers to read," she said. "In the end, she became a remedial teacher. If they came to her reading a year below grade level, by the time the year was over, they were a year above grade level. She got them to read."

Loewensteiner said Woodland School, where Semel taught for the last 29 years of her career, would be dedicating a corner of its library in her name. "It's so appropriate," she said.

"She was totally immersed in children. She was out to do the best," said Woodland School teacher Elizabeth Malakitis, who has been with the district since 1964. "All her efforts and time was spent on the children."

And, as a friend, "she was someone you could look up to ... she was just a unique individual," she said.

“Mrs. Semel was every child’s 'favorite teacher' and an inspiration to her colleagues,” said Ann Rhines, retired Morris School District teacher and current member of the Board of Education. “She never lost her love of teaching or the energy required to do it well. She was a gifted educator and a remarkable woman who will be remembered always by the thousands of students whom she loved as her own and who loved her in return.”

Woodland School Principal David Gidich, who had worked with Semel since 2001, noted a need for closure with the district's loss. "There are a lot of families in this district she touched," he said. "She died on a Saturday, buried on a Sunday. There was nothing in the paper, no chance for people to remember her. This is an opportunity for them to do that."

It's something Loewensteiner said was very important. "Personally, there is a void," she said. "For 18 years, we walked together. Slowly but surely, people found out. I went for a walk the day after she passed and people began to ask."

"I'll be walking alone now," Loewensteiner said.

A remembrance gathering, for Rochelle Semel, will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Woodland School. All are welcome to attend.

Contributions to the child's beginning reading corner at Woodland School may be made to Woodland Sunshine/Rochelle Semel Fund, 51 Johnston Drive, Morristown, NJ 07960.