In Memory

Anne Buchler



 
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10/03/08 06:11 AM #1    

Leah Tomchin (Alexander)

Anne and I were very close friends from grammar school through Junior High School. She contracted polio while on vacation on Fire Island-I don't remember if 6th or 7th grade. No one thought she would surive but survive she did -with a wonderful sense of humor, artistic successes and the capacity to love.
I sometimes ate Friday evening dinner at her house before we went out to the movies - as Catholics they ate fish and I was at that time allergic to fish. I never realized what I put her mother through with the menu...
The family moved to New Rochelle and eventually we lost touch.
I salute Anne buchler as a paradigm of courage, determination and love of life.

Leah Tomchin


10/04/08 02:11 AM #2    

Judith Robertson (Hills)

Like Leah, I remember when Anne contracted polio. My other good friend, Doris Vanderbeek also had polio about the same time, and our mutual friends had two people to worry about and pray for! POLIO, that horrible disease, has been pretty well beaten now, but then it filled us with dread as we watched our two friends struggle to overcome their disease. Anne was such a kind and cheerful person, and so much fun to be around. Somehow she overcame her struggles with courage and good cheer. I salute her, and remember her with great fondness.

Judith Robertson Hills

10/04/08 06:29 PM #3    

Judith Tunick (Greenspan)

I have been thinking for months how to praise Anne Buchler for her valiant struggle against polio. I am so glad that Leah Tomchin and Judy Robertson have written down so many of my thoughts. I have always admired Anne's spirit and her fight against a dreaded disease that no longer exists in this country.

If I remember correctly Anne was in Bergen Pines hospital in the beginning and eventually was able to come home on weekends and then for good. Many of us went to see her each opportunity we had. I can remember distinctly her description of physical therapy. She told us how terribly painful it was but said she was determined to walk again and would endure as much pain as she could so she could reach her goal. Every few weeks she would raise her arms in her wheelchair to show us how much higher she could go each time. And then eventually she started to walk. She always had a cane and a limp once she could get out of the wheelchair. But her goal was reached when she was able to walk up on the stage to get her diploma when we graduated. Everyone was so proud of her.

Many years later after I had lost touch with her, she lived in Long Island near my brother in East Islip. He was a league soccer coach for local girl's teams and her daughter (or daughters, I don't remember) were on his team. He saw her frequently and always "reported" back to me.

Now everytime I have the aches and pains of aging and start complaining, I always think of Anne and how brave and determined she was to keep fighting and to never give up. I will alway admire her.

Judy Tunick Greenspan

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