IN MEMORIUM
Rachel Bissex, 48, of Burlington, Vt. died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005, at her home.
She was born Dec. 27, 1956, in Boston, Mass., the daughter of Harriet Abeel Bissex and Henry S. Bissex.
She graduated from Newton South High School in Massachusetts, and then from Johnson State College in Johnson, Vt. in 1982 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts in performing arts.
On Sept. 28, 1985, she married Stephen Goldberg in Plainfield.
Ms. Bissex was self-employed as a singer, songwriter and an author. She enjoyed music, theater and community work.
Survivors include her husband, Stephen Goldberg, of Burlington; a daughter, Emma Goldberg, also of Burlington; two sons, Matthew Cosgrove of Bloomington, Ind., and Jonas Goldberg of Maplewood, NJ; four brothers, Donald Bissex of Melrose, Mass., Karl Bissex of Plainfield, Vt., Paul Bissex of Northampton, Mass., and Walter Bissex of Huntington, N.Y.
A scholarship fund for her children has been established. www.rachelbissex.org
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Rachel Bissex is an award-winning* songwriter with a flair for witty lyrics and great melodies. Her fifth and latest release features many songs arranged for orchestra, and the themes are uplifting and full of hope despite adversity.
Bissex finished treatments for breast cancer in December of 2003. Through lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy she maintained her positive spirit with the help of friends and a support group. She's on the good side of the statistics, and is happy to be back on the music circuit in 2004.
She has a role in the feature film Nothing Like Dreaming, by Vermont filmmaker Nora Jacobson of OfftheGridProductions.com, which is currently in post production. The film follows a young girl's struggle through a tragedy, and features several songs written by Rachel, who plays the mother of the young woman.
Ms. Bissex's work has carried her from her Boston roots, Miami to Madison to San Antonio to San Diego, and she also loves to play her unique and contemporary style of folk singing in Vermont, her home since 1977.
*Kerrville NewFolk, Wildflower winner, Falcon Ridge Festival Favorite, Telluride finalist, Billboard Honorable mention
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