Ida Bucher Obituary

Bucher, Ida May
June 8, 1918 - September 30, 2012
Ida passed away on September 30, 2012, at the age of 94. She was born, Ida May Mahoney, on June 8, 1918, into an Irish Catholic family in Springfield, Mass. She was one of three children. She attended Smith College and after graduation completed her teaching credential at Harvard University School of Education, in 1940. She taught elementary school for several years and then, "because my family was afraid I'd be an old maid", she enrolled in a master's program at Yale University's School of Public Health. She met her future husband of 58 years, Bill Bucher, at a tea dance on the campus of Yale where Bill was in medical school. They were married in 1947. Ida and Bill raised 5 children and lived in 7 different cities before they settled in LA, in 1957. Bill worked as an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at USC/Children's Hospital in L.A.; Ida was an active volunteer in the League Of Women Voters, the Democratic Party, and the Smith Club, while raising their children. In 1962 Ida returned to paid work as a substitute teacher in Santa Monica and a Research Associate at the Children's Home Society. In 1963 she became director of the pre-school and Parent Education projects of the Neumeyer Foundation, in Venice, CA, a forerunner to the Johnson Administration's "war on poverty". Shortly thereafter, she became coordinator of Operation Head Start for the West Los Angeles County. In 1967 she was asked to become director of the First Presbyterian Church Nursery School of Santa Monica, a position she held until 1984. Under her direction this became one of the leading pre-schools on the west side. She also taught Child Growth and Development and Parent Education, 3 nights a week, at Santa Monica College. Influenced by her pediatrician husband, she became convinced of the value to the individual child and the other children of "mainstreaming" children with special needs. She was one of the first to do so. With Docia Zavitovsky and Betsy Hiteshew, 2 other Child Development experts, she co-authored several books on child care and collaborated on the instructional TV series, "A Time to Grow". She was also active in public policy as an officer of the California Association for the Education of the Young Child. She helped to found Child Care Information Services of Santa Monica which provided referrals to quality child care and funded tuition subsidies to low-income, working families. Ida spoke to all who would listen about the needs of families and advocated for the under-paid and under-appreciated child care workers who tirelessly, "keep this society running." Ida was uniquely energetic and optimistic. She was a fabulous host and welcomed the young, the old, the celebrated and the disregarded into her home. Always filled with passionate ideas, she was interested in everyone else's opinions and plans. She was a cheerleader for her many friends; everyone loved Ida. We will all miss her terribly. She is preceded in death by her husband Dr. William H. Bucher, her older sister, Ruth Peck of W. Springfield, Mass., and her younger brother Dr. John Mahoney of Milton, Mass. She is survived by five children, Dr. Sharon Bucher Stein, Katina Bucher Norris, William J. Bucher, Patrick Bucher and Melinda Bucher Casey, and five grandchildren, Jessie Norris, Shawn Norris, Alison Casey, Matthew Casey, and Rosie Stein; and one great granddaughter Annabelle Norris.
There will be a Catholic service for Ida Bucher at 10 AM, Saturday, October 20, at the Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home, 757 E. Main St., Ventura, CA 93001. A second service will be held at 3 PM, Saturday, November 17, 2012, at The Church in Ocean Park, 235 Hill St., Santa Monica, Calif. 90405. In lieu of flowers donations can be sent to The Ocean Park Child/Care Foundation or The Church in Ocean Park, both located at 757 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Oct. 14, 2012.
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I am so glad that I have the opportunity in 2020 to remember Ida, one of my dearest friends and colleagues, who will always remain vividly alive for me, and whose memory I cherish so very much. What would you have made of this weird year, Ida? I know you would have taken it in your stride, and never lost your sense of humor. Miss you, Bill and Melinda so much. Betsy Hiteshew

Betsy Hiteshew

Friend

October 2, 2020

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2019

After seven years Ida is still vividly present in my mind and heart as a precious friend and invaluable colleague. Thanks for posting her name in remembrance.

Betsy Hiteshew

September 28, 2019

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

September 27, 2019

This the quiet and informal dignity of this Guestbook inspires me to use these services for my late mother, a sister Smith graduate. Thank you

Hampton Howell

July 17, 2013

We remember Ida from our first meeting in 1977, when she admitted our son to Santa Monica First Presbyterian Church Nursery School. She always wore a smile and a pretty dress, as she strode around the school in her white leather tennis shoes. The smile was for everyone who walked through the door, the dress because she was such a lady, and the tennis shoes expedited her movement through the school, which was brisk and purposeful.
She was firm and loving with the children, but she also helped the parents a great deal, too. At our mothers' meetings, she would remind us, “You and your husband were the family unit before children arrived. Remember to keep your bond strong, put your marriage first, and then ensure that your children are well taken care of.” This was great advice from the mother of five who remained married for 58 years.
When Ida retired as director of First Presbyterian Church Nursery School, many of us attended her farewell party. All were grateful to have known this bright, loving woman, and we were happy that she planned to take a well-deserved break.
Now she is at eternal rest, but her good works and the love she shared will live on in the lives of those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Rest in peace, dear Ida.

Libby Atwater

November 26, 2012

Ida was an inspiration to all who knew her. We first met in about 1964 when I was applying for admission to Smith College. Her warm welcome continued as we became fellow alums and she led the LA Smith Club in so many ways. The twinkle in her eyes and embracing of all who knew her will remain in our memories. What a special person. (I very much regret being out of town, in Sequoia National Park, for yesterday's services. But I thought of Ida and the family she treasured.)

Rosalyn Zakheim

November 18, 2012

I first met Ida at a Smith Club function as an incoming freshman with my mother. No matter when I saw her after that, she was always warm and caring,and welcoming, Years later, after my own mother died, Ida would always tell me a funny and warm story about meeting my mother. She knew just what to say make you feel better.

Thank you Ida for your service and gift of self to your family and community. We will miss you.

Georgianna Streeter

November 14, 2012

Ida was a marvel, and I will always remember her and Bill for their generous spirits, intelligence, and joy for living. They were the best examples of how one should try to live.

Michelle Hurt

November 5, 2012

Ida was a valued member of the LWV of Ventura County in her later years as well as an active member in LA County. She will be missed, with her can-do spirit and lively smile. Her accomplishments speak volumes about her dedication to community and civic life. My sincere sympathy to her family, on behalf of LWV Ventura County.

Pamela Pecarich

October 21, 2012

...ida...full of spirit, verve and ever understanding with her puckish humor, kept the LA Smith Club going and growing for MANY years...they don't create women like her now !
...thank YOU , Ida...rest well...amanda nyce mcintyre '59

October 20, 2012

My sympathies to the Bucher family. Ida was such a lovely light and inspiration for the Smith Club of LA.

Wendy Brynford-Jones

October 20, 2012

October 19, 2012

Dear Ida,

To me you will always be just a breath away.

From,
Misa

October 19, 2012

Ida will be remembered for her intelligence and her wit which were only matched by the sparkle in her eyes. She always kept us on our toes and brought so much conversation and knowledge with her wherever she went. My heart felt sympathies to her family. She will be missed by many.

Adrienne Schoen Gunn

October 17, 2012

I feel very fortunate to have served on the SCCLA board while Ida was such a central member. She was the glue that connected us all for so many years.

Cora Kamerman

October 16, 2012

My pleasure to have known Ida. She definitely will be missed.

Evelyn Brown

October 16, 2012

Family of Ida Bucher may you know God is very sensitive to the pain and suffering you are feeling in your loss. Isaiah 65:17

October 15, 2012

Ida was a unique and wonderful friend, with whom I was privileged to work at Santa Monica College for many years. How I every would have made it through my children's adolescence without her humor and wisdom, I'll never know.
Life was richer,funnier, more exciting with Ida in it. Even in her later years, struggling with Alzheimer's, Ida's beautiful essence shone through. My daughters, Lisa and Sally, loved her dearly, and we all send our heartfelt condolences to the family during this hard time of loss. Ida's spirit soars over us all; she will never be forgotten.

Betsy Hiteshew

October 8, 2012

Thanks Melinda and Bucher cousins. You really did a great job of capturing and summing up the spirit of service and community involvement that was just Ida through and through and all her life. Lovely photo too.

From the Peck cousins clan, Rich, Dad, Bob and Jill, and I are down in Marshfield MA this holiday weekend. Dad always has a memorial Mass said at St Ann by the Sea parish in Ocean Bluff for Ruth this weekend each year since her death in 2007. We lit candles for John, Ruth, Ida, Nona, and Bill. Tried to tell the priest Father Connolly the story of when Ruth took Ida's summer job as a chambermaid or waitress at the Howard Johnson's here in MField (or Duxbury?) because Ida got a better offer somewhere else I guess and Ruth impersonated Ida in the job all summer, I think we just confused him, but he played along goodnaturedly and laughed anyway. Good to be in Marshfield where the Mahoney kids of Springfield's Glendell Terrace and their parents James and Rose I'm sure had lots of happy times.

Hope you're all getting a chance to breathe and settle. Love to everybody.

Abby Peck

October 7, 2012

She was a sweet, thoughtful person and neighbor. She attended the Pierpont Community Council meetings at the Marriott Ventura Beach Hotel, sometimes requiring assistance to do so, but cheerfully participating anyway. We miss her.

Kioren Moss

October 7, 2012

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