From Gay Auerbach, Fenno's Niece

Dearest Carol, Sarah, Peggy, Lucy, and Terry,

I am deeply sorry to hear of Fenno's death. We've been thinking about you every day, and hoping that this monumental and sad life event was happening in the easiest possible way for you and for Fenno. And indeed it sounds as if he slipped away gently and painlessly, with those who have been so devoted and loving nearby.

I know that you set the standard for caring, Carol. I wish you peace and acceptance and rest after these long and stressful days of anxiety.

At Plainfield, Uncle Fenno was always one of my favorite adults - to a child, he seemed to exist in another world than the one the other grown-ups inhabited: he was funny, light-hearted, and irreverent about things other grown-ups seemed to take very seriously; he never once tried to get us to go pick lettuce from the garden, wash out root beer bottles or go to sleep. (He was, however, always the grown-up dispatched to the McClean's back yard to get us to come down off the trampoline; I loved his wisecracking while he let us jump on and on and on.) I'm grateful for the chances I had to get to know Fenno better after I grew up - especially during the Heath pilgrimage to the redwood trees that he led like a true patriarch, basking in the luxuries of the Claremont Hotel and telling stories about the glee club in the silence of Muir Woods. He was still funny, still totally engaged in music, and still absolutely charming.

All my love goes out to you today, Carol, and to Sarah, Peggy, Lucy and Terry. Fenno's passing is a true loss, for which you have our deepest condolences.

Much much love,
Gay Auerbach, Fenno's Niece