Margaret "Fairlee" Gamble

1942 - 2022

Margaret "Fairlee" Gamble

Hanover, NH — Margaret Fairlee Gamble passed away on Sunday, July 10th, 2022 at Kendal at Hanover.

Fairlee was born on November 24th, 1942 in Washington, DC. to Margaret "Judy" Gamble and James Ross Gamble. As a young girl, she moved to Hanover, NH, and graduated from Hanover High School in 1960. Fairlee earned a bachelor's degree in French from Wellesley College, a Master of Arts in French from Tufts University, and an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Social Work.

Her passion for helping people blossomed into a successful private practice as a family therapist in Philadelphia. She was also a consultant for the Friends Select School and the Springside School for Girls in Chestnut Hill. During this time, Fairlee became a Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and a Clinical Member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.

It was in Philadelphia that Fairlee was most happy. She was able to nourish her passion for the arts, especially opera. She enjoyed going to the farmer's markets to buy the freshest ingredients and prepare delicious meals. She loved animals and delighted in the company of her cats.

As a true feminist, Fairlee was politically active and committed to fighting the patriarchy. When asked why she never married she would reply that "a woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle."

Fairlee's compassion, spirit, and keen intellect enabled her to create lifelong friendships that transcended each of her social circles of Hanover, Philadelphia, and Wellesley. Although she never had children of her own, Fairlee had a special bond with Claire and Jonah Wager, who called her 'Woogie'. Fairlee was extremely close with her two nephews Andrew and Paul Gamble, both of whom are strong advocates for others because of her influence.

When she retired, Fairlee returned to the Upper Valley and in 2012 moved to Kendal where she made many new friends. She and her brother Peter grew closer and he was a great source of support in the past year.

Fairlee is predeceased by her parents, and her two sisters-in-law, Pam Gile and Sherry Rafferty. She is survived by her brother Peter Gamble (Lyme, NH), her brother-in-law Paul Rafferty (Hartland, VT), her nephew Andrew Gamble and his partner Ellen Wood (St. Croix, VI), and her nephew Paul Gamble, his wife Cindy and their children Brian and Paige (Charlestown, MA).

There will be a service at Kendal at Hanover on August 14th at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Lucy MacKenzie Human Society, P.O. Box 702 Brownsville, VT 05037.