Jeanne R. Koller, 79, teacher

Jeanne R. Koller, 79, of Roxborough, the first African American teacher at Ardmore Avenue Elementary School in Lower Merion, who went on to a long teaching career in Philadelphia, died Sunday, Sept. 14, of pancreatic cancer at her home.

Mrs. Koller started out at Ardmore Avenue, where the township's minority children once comprised 80 percent of students. When the building was razed in the 1960s, black children joined white students in Lower Merion elementary schools for the first time.

Her son, Charles "Skip" Trulear, said Mrs. Koller loved to talk about the time she spent in Ardmore. A minority teacher was a rarity in those days; sometimes she was mistaken for a cafeteria worker.

She also enjoyed reminiscing about her experiences as a student teacher at another school for children of migrant farm workers in central Pennsylvania, he said.

In 1989, Mrs. Koller retired after 30 years of teaching in the Philadelphia School District. She continued as a substitute teacher at the former St. Barnabas School, part of St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Germantown. The school has since closed.

Born in Philadelphia, she graduated from Philadelphia High School for Girls. In 1957, she earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Pennsylvania State University, where she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

One year later, she married Charles Franklin Trulear IV, and the couple had two children. They divorced in 1979. In 1985 she married Eugene P.J. Koller. He survives.

Mrs. Koller was physically active as a girl - she loved to roller skate and climb trees - and later she enjoyed jazzercise, tap dance lessons, and water aerobics at the Roxborough YMCA. She also liked knitting, crocheting, arranging flowers, and writing poetry.

In retirement, she traveled with her husband to Aruba, Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. They camped and toured all over America.

Mrs. Koller joined St. Luke's in 1976 and held many positions there. She also was a member of the Red Hat Society.

Over the years Mrs. Koller, who had a sweet, welcoming disposition, played host at Thanksgiving, Easter, and on other occasions. Her home was a gathering spot for a large extended family, many of whom, though unrelated, called her "Mom."

"Visitors from near and far were treated like family. All were readily greeted with a smile, a hug, and a sincere inquiry about their well-being," her son said.

Surviving, besides her husband and son, are a daughter, Susan Trulear Hale; stepdaughter Alexandra Koller; stepson Darren Koller; seven grandchildren; four brothers; two sisters; and nieces and nephews.

Services are at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 19, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 5421 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia 19144. Visitations will be Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Koller Funeral Home, 6835 Ridge Ave., and Friday starting at 9 a.m. at the church. Interment is in Westminster Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the church at the address above.

610-313-8102