Nesta Obermer | |
|---|---|
 Obermer, 1952 | |
| Born | Ella Ernestine Sawyer 14 September 1893 Cromer, Norfolk, England |
| Died | 3 October 1984 (aged 91) Paudex, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland |
| Nationality | British |
| Other names | Ella Ernestine Obermer, Ella Sawyer Obermer, Nesta Sawyer |
| Occupation(s) | philanthropist, playwright, artist |
| Years active | 1921–1978 |
Nesta Obermer OBE, (née Sawyer; 14 September 1893 – 3 October 1984), was a British philanthropist, playwright and artist. Born in Norfolk, she began writing as a child when illness forced her to be confined for a lengthy period. Travelling often, as a diplomat's daughter she began writing articles as a war correspondent during World War I. She married a wealthy playwright in 1925. As participants in an international social circle, the two travelled widely. Encouraged by her husband, Obermer wrote three plays which were produced in the 1930s in London theatres and was a well known reader on BBC Radio until the 1940s.
Between 1936 and 1944, she had a romantic relationship with the painter Gluck, who called Obermer both her wife and a muse. When World War II ended, Obermer and her husband moved to Hawaii, living in Honolulu for the next 20 years. She had long contributed to good causes, often those with educational aims, and continued this work there. She became a painter and participated in both solo and group showings, often using them as fund raisers for charitable causes. In 1969, Obermer moved to Paudex, Switzerland, where she remained until her death in 1984. She was honoured as an officer of the Order of the British Empire and received the Distinguished Women Award from Northwood University for her philanthropy and stature as a role model. The University of Hawaii awards a music scholarship in her name.