Irene Buch

Irene Buch Swimming Instructor Irene Ashmead Buch passed away in her home at the age of 94 on Monday, October 29, 2018. Irene descended from one of Pennsylvania’s oldest families who settled here in 1688. Born on March 31, 1924, in Philadelphia to Fredrick Ross and Helen Shute Ashmead, she moved to Lancaster at age five graduating from J.P. McCaskey High School in 1942. At the age of 17 Irene was an AAU nationally ranked swimmer competing in the 1939 National AAU competition in North Carolina. Above all things, Irene was a dedicated teacher of swimming and for over 50 years passed this joy and love of swimming along to children and adults. She was a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and for over 10 years ran the Red Cross Learn To Swim Program for Lancaster County. Irene was a swim instructor at Brookside Swim Club every summer; was a volunteer swim instructor at the YWCA; and was a volunteer swim instructor with Edna Schreiber for the Easter Seal Society’s handicapped swim program. She also organized and coached the YWCA Swim Team. Irene ran the first Pre-School Diagnostic programs administered by Dr. June Smith. She was later appointed by Jack Sippel to direct the Easter Seal Orthopedic and Language Motor Program, which she did for 14 years, retiring in 1986. In the 1960’s and 1970’s Irene was a Girl Scout Troop leader and served on the Lancaster Girl Scout Council. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Jo Buch of Aurora, CO; son, Eric Ross Buch of Port Angeles, WA; grandson, Dustin Ross Buch of Washougal, WA and great-grandson, Hudson Ross Buch of Washougal, WA. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, pharmacist, Stanley J. Buch. Irene enjoyed travel, going to the shore every summer (Wildwood, NJ as a child and Stone Harbor and Avalon, NJ as an adult); white water rafting; swimming with dolphins; camping in Hawaii, Canada, and New England; playing cards, and laughing with her many friends. Her greatest pride and joy was passing on her love of swimming to hundreds of children and adults. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Irene’s Memorial Service on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Church of the Apostles, 1850 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA with Rev. Kathryn L. Kuhn officiating. Family will receive friends at the church from 3:00 p.m. until time of service. Irene requested for you to feel free to wear colorful and comfortable attire. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the American Red Cross, 1804 N. 6th Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 or Girl Scouts Heart of Pennsylvania (GSHPA), 350 Hale Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17104-1518 Attn: Fund Development.