Margaret Mary Byassee

Portsmouth, RI - Margaret M. Foley Byassee, 82, of 2 Donna Drive, Portsmouth, died Sunday, June 13, 2004 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI. Born in Newport, RI on January 17, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Edward B. and May W. Cruickshank Foley. Mrs. Byassee graduated from Rogers High School in 1941, and served in the military for two years druing WWII. She attended Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill, receiving a scholarship in voice and was soloist with the Wheaton College Womens Glee Club. Mrs. Byassee received a Masters Degree at the University of Tennessee in art and education, and taught both art and music in the Junior High School in Chattanooga. She was given a grant from the Tennessee Arts Commisssion to be and Artist in Residence at Sweetwater, TN, where she served for two years. Mrs. Byassee was past president of the Chattanooga Civics Art League and the Authors and Artisit of Chattanooga, and held memberships in many other organizations in art and poetry. Mrs. Byassee received many awards from both judged and juried shows, and had showings in San Francisco, Maryland, and the Ariel Galleries in Soho, NY where she was one of ten artists chosed to display work at the New York Art EXPO. Her recent work, done as a result of an actual experience, called ?The Vision? is now on display at St. Anthonys Church in Portsmouth, and was also displayed in Europe. Mrs. Byassee was an accomplished poet and after being published by the International Society of Poetry, was appointed to the International Society of Poetry Hall of Fame. She received several awards. Most recently receiving an award at the Poetry Seminar in Washington, DC. She is being published in a book of poems by a British firm. Mrs. Byassee retured to the Newport Area five years ago. She taught art classes at the Portsmouth Senior Center and painted and donated two large murals displayed at the Center. She was a member of the Portsmouth Art Guild. Mrs. Byassee was an avid camper, driving her own camper. She was an active member and soloist in the Portsmouth Senior Centers Island Senior Chorus, participating in their annual shows and various functions at Nursing Homes and local gatherings. She is survived by two sisters Bernardette Foley of Southern Pines, NC, and Barbara Foley Dunn of Newport, RI, three nieces, one nephew and many great nieces and nephews. Her funeral will be held on Thursday, June 17, 2004, at 9:00 AM from the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 AM in St. Anthonys Church, 2836 East Main Road, Portsmouth. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown. Donations in her memory may be made to the donors choice.