Albany - Rachel Weiss, 76, passed away on December 22, 2025. She succumbed to COVID at Albany Medical Center.

Born in Munich, Germany on April 4, 1949, to Juda and Judyta Weiss, Concentration Camp survivors awaiting documentation to emigrate to the United States. The family arrived in New York City in June of that year and ultimately settled in Albany, New York.

Growing up in Albany, Rachel was part of a close-knit community composed of other Holocaust survivors and their children. Rachel developed a love of art and jewelry and moved to NYC after graduating Albany High School in 1966. She earned her B.A and M.F.A from New York University.

A formative part of her education was studying abroad in Venice, Italy. The time she spent in Italy was some of her favorite years and she always spoke fondly of this chapter of her life. Rachel taught Art in the Charleston, South Carolina public school system before starting her own jewelry business, Things by Rachel.

With her business, she hand-made one-of-a-kind earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Rachel travelled the country selling her creations at art fairs and boutiques. She loved attending gem and bead shows where she used her keen eye to select beautiful materials that inspired her designs. Her unique gold wire wrapping and talented bead work led her to national recognition and winning many jury prizes at art festivals, including a first-place award by Lapidary Journal.

Rachel continued to sell her jewelry at art fairs and travel until a stroke ultimately led her to move back to Albany in 2020.

Rachel is survived by her sister, Paula Weiss Cohen (Howard), nephew Max(Vicky), nieces Erica and Gracie, grandniece Joey, her beloved cousin Abe Lacheta, and cousins Paul(Thrittima) and Greg(Yiping) Sherer.

A private family memorial service will be held.

Those wishing to honor Rachel’s memory may make a contribution to a charity of their choice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.