Fern Rahmel

Fern Alma Rahmel (1914 – November 28, 2009) was a Canadian writer and educator.

Early life and education Rahmel was born in Peterborough, Ontario, and graduated from Queen's University in 1940.

Career Rahmel taught in elementary and later secondary schools. In 1970, she had been a Peterborough teacher for 20 years with the English Department of the Peterborough Collegiate and Vocational School, becoming the head of the English Department before she retired. Rahmel wrote book reviews for Saturday Night, which she describes in a 2009 book about the Canadian writer Robertson Davies written by Val Ross. Rahmel aided Robertson Davies in research while he was editor of the Peterborough Examiner and, as described in Ross's book, Rahmel served as the stage director at the Peterborough Little Theatre for a series of plays at the encouragement of Davies. The interactions between Davies and Rahmel are also described in Judith Skelton Grant's book Robertson Davies: Man of Myth.

Rahmel also wrote children's educational radio plays leading to the production of more than 60 scripts by the Canadian Broadcasting Company. Peterborough's first librarian. Rahmel's writing includes a chapter on theatre that was included in a 1967 anthology of pieces about Peterborough, and was cited by the Heritage Gazette during their discussion of historical theatre in the city. She has also detailed the history of women in education in Peterborough. She was also assistant to Gwyn Kinsey, editor of Saturday Night. and the citation included the following statements:

In 1987, she was given an honorary life membership in the Peterborough Kiwanis Musical Festival.

Personal life One of Rahmel's interests was gardening, especially roses and peonies.