PORTLAND – Rebecca Kennedy Wilsbach, 71, artist, musician and retired pharmacy technician, died Saturday March 23, 2024, alongside her husband of 48 years, Tom Wilsbach.

Rebecca was born in Omaha, Neb. on Jan. 5, 1953, the third child of Charles William “Bill” Kennedy and Grace Wilhelmina Bose Kennedy.

The family moved to Owego, N.Y. where Rebecca was educated at Owego Free Academy. She pursued studies in art at SUNY and Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, where she met and married her Tom on Aug. 2, 1975. She completed her art education with a BFA in printmaking at Portland School of Art (now MECA) in 1980.

Rebecca continued her art as a woodcarver and in several other media throughout her life. She played the fiddle with several groups in Philadelphia, Pa., Maryland and Maine, treasuring the old traditional tunes.

She is survived by her husband Tom; and several nieces and nephews; grandnieces and grandnephews.

A celebration of Rebecca’s life will take place at a later date.

Arrangements in the care of Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home Portland. Please visit jonesrichandbarnes.com to sign Rebecca’s guest book.

Donations in Rebecca’s memory may be made to the

Animal Refuge League

of Greater Portland

P.O. Box 336

Westbrook, ME 04098

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