BAR HARBOR and OCEANSIDE, Calif. – Rebecca Bess Kaliss, 95, of Bar Harbor died peacefully Jan. 20, 2004, at an Oceanside, Calif., assisted living facility. She was born Nov. 13, 1908, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Aaron Weiss and Anna Millman. Bess graduated from the Jamaica Training School for Teachers in New York City in 1928, and taught public school in Harlem, N.Y., for 10 years. From childhood, she was ardent student of the piano, and later in life offered piano instruction in Bar Harbor to numerous students of all ages. Her homes in Bar Harbor were the sites of many musical gatherings and she often gave concerts at area nursing homes and schools. She adored chamber music, and frequently played with other instrumentalists and vocalists. Her own growth as a musician continued into her late years through private study and attendance at piano master classes at Colby College, Waterville, and elsewhere. Bess is also remembered as a very active supporter of culture and the arts wherever she has resided and she has always been devoted to the promotion of peace, civil rights and global understanding. She was predeceased in October 1999 by her husband of 71 years, Dr. Nathan Kaliss, who was a scientist at the Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor. Bess is survived by three sons, Dr. Tony Kaliss of Barrow, Alaska, Jeff Kaliss of San Francisco, Calif., and Ed Kalish of Brewer; four grandchildren, Chris and Naomi Kalish of Melbourne, Fla., and Natalie and Nicholas Kaliss of San Francisco, Calif.; two sisters, Ella Bindler of Oceanside, Calif. and Rachel Klausner of New York, N.Y. A memorial service is planned for later this year and will be announced. Cremation arrangements are by Allen Brothers, Vista, Calif. Donations in Bess’ name can be made to the Bagaduce Music Lending Library, P.O. Box 829, Blue Hill, ME 04614.
REBECCA B. KALISS
