Tuesday, March 19, AD 2024 3:09am

Requiescat in Pace: Chris Bissey

Chris and Family

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

John 11:25

My secretary and office manager Chris Bissey passed away in the early hours of this morning, age 51, ending her over two years fight against cancer.  I have seen many a valiant fight against cancer in my life, including that of my mother who died at 48 on Easter Sunday 1984, but never a braver one than that fought by Chris.  Throughout her ordeal her spirit was ever unbroken, she usually cheering up those around her.  She was bright and optimistic, just as she had been throughout her life.  She worked up until Wednesday of this week, telling the Grim Reaper that she had tasks to attend to and he could just wait until she was ready.

She worked for me for thirty years.  I called her my secret weapon.  If I needed a hearing scheduled and she was told that it was impossible, she would get it scheduled anyway.  Astonished Judges often asked me how I managed to get a hearing set before them on a date when they said no more settings.  I replied that it was by black magic, black magic that went by the name of Chris Bissey.  She routinely did the impossible for me, imposing order on hundreds of open files, typing up my endless documents at lightning speed, making friends among courthouse staffs and charming all who came into my office and called on the phone.  It was a rare week when I did not receive at least one compliment in regard to Chris.

She was much more to me however than a secretary.  She was also a good friend.  Over the years we looked out for each other and helped each other through our triumphs and our tragedies.  Outside of my immediate family, no person was closer to me than Chris.

She had a deep faith in God.  We often dealt with death at the firm in our professional capacity, and she and I agreed that when God called us to the next world that was that, and there was no use worrying about it.

Throughout her life anyone who needed help could always turn to Chris.  Blunt and outspoken, she had a heart that shined ever with charity and love for those in misfortune.

She leaves behind her husband and her three kids, her whole world.  Her office was decorated with photographs of them and with pictures her kids drew when they were in school.  Her pride and love for her family was a palpable thing.

When my son Larry died two years ago on May 19, 2013, and my world turned black, Chris aided me and my family make it through that bleakest of weeks.

The world is immeasurably poorer for her loss, and Heaven, I am confident, is much richer for her presence.

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Jay Anderson
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 6:20am

My condolences, Don.
***
May she rest in peace.

DonL
DonL
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 6:25am

Such a mixture of sadness and yet, beauty.
Needless to say that we are praying for her and those who share the loss of such a good soul.

Ernst Schreiber
Ernst Schreiber
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 6:30am

Condolences on the loss of your friend

Dante alighieri
Admin
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:11am

My condolences Don.

Philip
Philip
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:24am

Prayers going up for her soul Don.

Ezabelle
Ezabelle
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:42am

My condolences Don, on Chris’ passing from this life.

Praying for her departed soul- as you describe, a beautiful soul- may Chris rest in eternal peace.

Praying strength is granted to her family and friends during this difficult time.

Shawn Marshall
Shawn Marshall
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:50am

God bless her. She can show your tribute to her friends in heaven.

The Bear
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:51am

I can appreciate that kind of person. They’re one in a million. Sad loss personally and professionally.

WK Aiken
WK Aiken
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:56am

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace.
.
Amen.
.
Prayers for you and your practice as well, on the loss of such a great part of your team.

Clinton
Clinton
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:58am

My condolences, Mr. McClarey.

Foxfier
Admin
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:59am

Prayers.

Dale Price
Dale Price
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 8:29am

God rest her soul, and prayers.

Patricia
Patricia
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 9:21am

Sympathy for the Bissey family, you and yours.

Hope someone follows her lead.

Art Deco
Art Deco
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 9:30am

Keeping you all in mind.

BPS
BPS
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 9:30am

I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that now she sings before the throne of our Lord with your son Larry.

Michael Paterson-Seymour
Michael Paterson-Seymour
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 10:47am

Requiescat in pace

DJ Hesselius
DJ Hesselius
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 12:59pm

My condolences to her family and you. It sounds like she was (and still is in Heaven) a tremendous person.

bill bannon
bill bannon
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 1:42pm

That husband…I will pray for him and the kids just as much as for her. The Sinai Covenant promised literal long life for obedience. The Christian dispensation does not so promise but is more lofty but harder in this respect of “the crosses” we are promised.

Philip
Philip
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 3:23pm

Wow! I love it Donald. The veil is so thin at these moments and sometimes loved one’s are blessed to share in this grace….what a sweet gift from God.

Thanks for sharing.

God is love.

RL
RL
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 3:32pm

Prayers for all of you.

jeannebodine
jeannebodine
Friday, August 28, AD 2015 7:43pm

Condolences and prayers. A lovely tribute to a very special person.

Missy
Missy
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 7:10am

I am very, very sorry for your loss. Praying for her family & yours.

Edie Eason
Edie Eason
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 7:17am

My deepest sympathy for what must be a great loss not only for her family and yours, but for all who knew her. May her soul rest in peace.

Stephen E Dalton
Stephen E Dalton
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 9:00am

I’m sorry you lost a friend and a co-worker.

paul coffey
paul coffey
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 9:19am

a Requiem Mass will be said for the repose of her soul a St. Joseph’s Troy, NY as soon as i can arrange it when the office opens monday. if not sooner…….

It sounds like she is fine, we will pray – i hope your grief is complete and short lived and the memory of her shines in your heart forever! This is a cause of joy , not sadness, to have so close a friend before the Throne and able to intercede for you. rejoice and be glad!
For her and for you

Steve Phoenix
Steve Phoenix
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 12:13pm

Thank you for this testimonial: I needed it at this time (esp. to put in perspective some nonsense I am over-valuing: this is the real matter of life).

It seems, again and again, that God will not delay for some people, because they are “perfect” in their state of life already at that point. Mrs. Bissey appears to be one of those—and fulfills M. Twain’s famous quip (“Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”) Pardon my for experiencing a small amount of “holy envy” and a large amount of admiration for her well-lived life. We must pray for her spouse and family, because they have a lot to miss.

Anzlyne
Anzlyne
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 12:47pm

Your account of her life well lived – earnest and full of love brings me to tears. God will bless her and her family and you.
Thanks be to God.

CAM
CAM
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 1:25pm

Prayers offered for the Bissy family and you. I believe that Chris’ suffering released many souls from purgatory.

Pinky
Pinky
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 2:27pm

I am so sorry. Everyone involved will be in my prayers. And keep an eye on yourself, Don – new grief has a way of reopening old wounds.

Philip
Philip
Saturday, August 29, AD 2015 7:22pm

The best part of your witness Donald, is the wellspring of truth that is as natural as your smile. In other words trust in Him who loves you so much. Your in such great hands. Those hands will never let you down.
The eulogy will spring out of your heart.
Relax and be happy that you were a large part of this family.

Peace.

Suz
Suz
Sunday, August 30, AD 2015 6:47pm

A loved and respected woman; what rewards she has in store! May all who mourn her passing find moments of holy peace & refreshment in the days ahead.

Tom D
Tom D
Monday, August 31, AD 2015 12:56am

Chris speaking with Larry…what a comfort to two families. What a blessing!

paul coffey
paul coffey
Monday, August 31, AD 2015 7:16am

a Requiem Mass will be said for the repose of the soul of Mrs. Chris Bissey on 9/25, friday at Noon – at St. Joseph’s church 416 3rd St. Troy NY 12180.
may her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God Rest in Peace.

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