Rachel Bissex, 48, musician, actress, arts activist, and mentor and friend to many died on February 20, 2005 after a long battle with cancer. A warm and welcoming presence at Folk Alliance, SERFA, and NERFA meetings for many years, Rachel was quick to spark others with her enthusiasm for performance and her love of the music. Anyone on the receiving end of that Rachel smile felt an instant kinship with this lovely and witty songwriter. A tireless learner when it came to her career on the music business, Rachel also provided stages for herself and fellow performers through her “Submerging Artists” and “Converging Artists” showcases. A kind, generous, and talented person Rachel will be missed.

A tribute CD, Remembering Rachel--The Songs of Rachel Bissex, spearheaded by Vic Heyman, Micah Solomon, and Tom Prasada-Rao, will help fulfill Rachel’s wish for her children to be able to finish college. You can view details of the many participants to this project and then order this CD online at www.rachelbissex.org. At the website, you can also contribute directly to the college fund, or receive instructions for contributing by mail.

[Obituary courtesy of the Folk Alliance. Photo: © 2005 Rachel Bissex].