Jane Goostray Bissell

Jane Goostray Bissell, 88, of Long Lake,  passed away peacefully on Friday, April 27, 2018 at home with her family by her side.
She was born on December 7, 1929 in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Reverend Frank and Eva (Magennis) Goostray.
She attended Northfield Mount Hermon School in Northfield, MA, Simmons College in Boston, MA and graduated from Cornell University New York Hospital School of Nursing in 1952.
In 1954 she entered the Episcopalian Community of St. Mary, then in Peekskill, N.Y., now in Greenwich, N.Y. and remained a nun until she left the convent in March of 1968.
In 1968 she worked as an Assistant Minister at the Episcopal Parish of the Epiphany in Winchester, Massachusetts. During that time Jane reconnected with Tom Bissell who she had known while working in hospitality services at Endion in Long Lake when she was 16 years old.
Jane and Tom were married August 31, 1968 at Briarwood Conference Center on Cape Cod.
Throughout her life, Jane was passionate about her work, volunteering, interests, and helping others. Jane set up an infant unit at St. Mary’s Hospital for Children in Bayside, Queens, was assistant director of St. Mary’s in the Field, a residential treatment facility for adjudicated adolescent girls; painted radical works around social justice themes; and worked with teenage church groups.
While in the Adirondacks Jane was the first executive director of High Peaks Hospice; served on the Hamilton County Community Services Board; was a member of the Long Lake Rescue Squad and an appointed Marriage Officer for the Town of Long Lake. Jane served many years as Warden of the Church of the Transfiguration in Blue Mountain Lake.
Jane and Tom enjoyed traveling, making several trips to Egypt, Mexico and other exotic lands. Jane was an accomplished calligrapher and artist. Jane was a member the Northern Needles Quilt Group and sewed countless intricate, colorful and beautiful quilts, jackets, vests and other unique works of art.
Jane is survived by her husband Thomas Bissell, beloved son Thomas T. Bissell, Jr, and daughter Christine Campeau, sister Margaret Goostray, nieces Marion Ober, Alice Bissell and Goddaughters Victoria Verner Sandiford and Alexandra Verner Roalsvig.
In addition to her parents, Jane was predeceased by her beloved son Timothy on November 29, 2010.
Visitation will be Friday, May 4, 2018, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at St. Henry's Parish Center with a funeral mass at 1 p.m. at St. Henry’s Catholic Church. Interment will immediately follow at the Long Lake Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Jane’s name may be made to the Community Outreach Program of the Church of the Transfiguration in Blue Mountain Lake PO Box 561, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, Long Lake Rescue Squad PO Box 415, Long Lake, NY 12847 and St. Henry’s Church, 1188 Main Street, Long Lake, NY 12847.
Arrangements are under the direction of Miller Funeral Home, 6357 NYS Rte. 30, Indian Lake.
To express online condolences, please visit www.brewermillerfuneralhomes.com