Jessie Bogese

Jessica “Jessie” Michael Bogese (December 10, 1979—March 27, 2021) grew up in Prince George County with her parents, Susie and Mike, and siblings Ally and Mikey. Jessie was born prematurely and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at 18 months, leaving the right side of her body weaker than the left. However, she was determined to never let her disability keep her from doing the things she loved, including dance, theatre, and art.

Jessie loved fine arts, performing dance recitals in her childhood, and participating in Una Harrison’s Theatre for Children, Colonial Heights Children’s Theatre, and Fort Lee Theatre. She graduated from Riverview School High School (Cape Cod, MA) and received a Certificate in Business from The Threshold Program at Lesley University (Cambridge, MA). After graduation, she worked at Shaw’s Supermarket for 10+ years, where she put her keen eye for detail to work and made many friends. Jessie expressed herself through art, and started exploring her talents at the Cambridge Art Center. She moved on to the Kaji Aso Studio, who displayed her art in five annual shows at the Prudential Center in Boston. Her medium of choice was watercolor, but she also experimented with acrylics, oils, and graphic arts. Jessie loved everything “Boston”, including going to see the Red Sox, Bruins hockey games, and the Boston Marathon. She loved Broadway musicals, traveling, Gilmore Girls, and spending time with her friends and family. Jessie passed away at age 41 and gave the gift of life as an organ donor. She continues to inspire all of us to overcome challenges and pursue our dreams.

At Virginia Repertory Theatre, we are so grateful to Jessie’s family whose incredible generosity touched the lives of 38,000 children and families from 2022—2024 through the Jessie Bogese Theatre in Richmond’s Northside. Susie says of her daughter, “She left the world more beautiful because of her courage, her desire to achieve, and her ability to use her best parts for a better purpose.” Today, the Jessie Bogese Family Season supports children’s theatre programs at the November Theatre and beyond. Thank you, Jessie, for sharing your creative, caring, and tenacious spirit with the world!
JESSIE BOGESE ARTIST STATEMENT
“As soon as I started painting watercolor, I could not stop. It became an inspiration to learn and get better and have more confidence. Watercolor can be unforgiving, and it takes practice. When I draw or paint I feel things, and they stay with me.”