PROVINCETOWN — Longtime resident Rachel Schwolow, known to many by her chosen name Raquel, died on July 4 after becoming entangled in her plastic costume in Provincetown Harbor. She had just celebrated her 50th birthday on a trip to Baja California with friends.
Schwolow and her friend Dennis McGahan were in relatively shallow water in Provincetown’s East End around 9:30 a.m. when, according to witnesses, she appeared to be submerged and then trapped in her costume as it filled with water. McGahan and others brought her to shore and performed CPR until the Provincetown rescue squad arrived and took her to Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis. Attempts to resuscitate her were not successful.
Schwolow had lived and worked in Provincetown for many years, including long stints as a server at the Red Inn and at Bubala’s by the Bay. She had also worked winters at restaurants in Boston and Los Angeles and was widely known and loved in the community of people who work and dine on Commercial Street.
In tributes posted online, friends called her a blazing comet, a sparkling light, and a wild heart. Her obituary will appear in next week’s edition. —Paul Benson
