We are saddened to share the news that Bertha Fauver died on October 1, just one week after celebrating her 102nd birthday. Beginning with her marriage to Al Fauver in 1941, Bertha was an integral member of the Pemi family for over 80 years. For decades, Bertha contributed immeasurably to life at Pemi. Former campers and staff remember her positive presence every day, greeting and conversing with boys and counselors alike. Beyond the daily summer involvement in Pemi life, Bertha worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make Pemi the special place it is. She furthered Pemi’s mission and always championed the importance of involving women in daily life at camp.

Born in 1920 in Prospect Park, New Jersey, Bertha was the valedictorian of her high school class and a 1941 graduate of Smith College where her major was Zoology. Bertha was the President of the Smith Outing Club and was an avid skier and hiker. During the 1940’s, Bertha taught at a number of schools, including Ramsey High in New Jersey, before she and Al moved to Rumney, New Hampshire where they became part of the community at Holderness School.

Bertha and Al’s three children Fred, Peter, and Jon have all been extremely active at Pemi through the decades. They are former campers, counselors, staff members, leaders of Buildings and Grounds, Directors, Board Members, President and Chairman, and continue to be family owners. Bertha’s seven grandchildren, Megan, Jon, Sky, Allyson, Jameson, Sarah, and Alex have all continued the family tradition of active Pemi involvement. Six of the seven have served on Pemi’s Board of Directors, and four continue to serve currently, ushering in a planned generational transition to Pemi’s fourth generation of family ownership and operation. Four of Bertha’s great-grandchildren have attended Pemi as campers in recent years.

Al passed away in 2016, shortly after his centennial celebration. Bertha was fortunate to spend the last several years at the Fauver homestead in Plymouth, NH. She enjoyed the pastoral beauty of New Hampshire and always felt a strong connection to the community. This furthered her interest and commitment to giving back to the greater Plymouth area. Bertha was instrumental in starting the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, serving as its president for a time. She was a key member in many capital campaigns for Speare Memorial Hospital in Plymouth and was active with Plymouth State University, helping to create the PSU Center for the Environment. Al and Bertha continued their support of Plymouth and Plymouth State in many ways, including placing conservation easements on several hundred acres of Plymouth land.

The Fauver family shares that there will be a celebration of Bertha’s life at a later date. We will certainly pass along word so that the generations of Pemi friends can honor Bertha and the legacy she leaves at camp.

Kenny Moore