Remembering a Devoted Friend

NBSS mourns the loss of our great friend, Lisa von Clemm.

Lisa was a long time NBSS Board member—joining in 1989 and serving continuously until 2014. During her tenure Lisa initiated the Annual Evening of Craft, now a successful yearly fundraiser for the School. She opened the doors to her home in Wellesley for the both first and the tenth anniversary events. We are fortunate to have Lisa’s daughter, Stefanie von Clemm, carry on the family tradition on our Board of Directors.

Lisa held a special interest in bookbinding, and the School benefited from her constant support and encouragement to make our own Bookbinding (BB) program the best it could be. She combined her interests in the School and the Boston Athenaeum by funding, through the Michael and Louisa von Clemm Foundation, a conservation fellowship for a recent BB graduate. Akin to a “third year” of the program, this one-of-a-kind experience allows new bookbinders to delve more deeply into conservation, and helps further their career potential.

In addition, Lisa helped the BB program organize trips to England where students had the opportunity to visit suppliers, meet colleagues at industry events, and view amazing collections such as that of the Wormsley Library. Lisa and her daughter Stefanie graciously hosted BB students and faculty this past spring at her home in London, even while Lisa was ill. While there,

Lisa shared her special collection of fine bindings created by others, a few of her favorite bindings collected over her years of work with the Designer Bookbinder’s annual competition. Lisa was kind enough to share some of her own pieces as well.

Lisa von Clemm was a devoted supporter, advocate, patron, colleague, and friend to all of us at NBSS. She will be missed.