Beth Dunham (Augenstein), age 66, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth, NH, with family at her side. Following a courageous fight with Lewy Body Dementia, Beth leaves behind a legacy of kindness, creativity, and unwavering devotion to her loved ones.

Born in Massachusetts to Edmund and Gwendolyn, Beth was the sister of Barbara, Beverly, and Donald. It was in high school that she met the love of her life, Michael Dunham. Inseparable from the start, they married on April 14th, 1979; she was 19 and he was 21. They soon moved to New Hampshire to begin their life together.

Beth devoted herself to her husband and their two sons, Michael and Matthew. Whether it was camping, boating, hiking, assisting with homework, or cheering from the sidelines of youth sports, she was a constant, supportive presence. In 2018, Beth embraced her favorite role yet, Grandmother. She was beyond enthusiastic in welcoming her six grandchildren: Michael (Gus), Noah, Ada, Declan, Jordan, and Stanley.

For several decades, Beth was a devoted member of True Memorial Baptist Church. She committed her summers to her boys and her faith, spending weeks leading Vacation Bible School and dedicated evenings to the Pioneer Clubs children’s ministry.

Known for her happy, kind disposition, Beth was also a passionate animal lover. Over the years, she brought cats and dogs into her family, and she could often be found outdoors enjoying long walks with her yellow labs Casey, then Libby. She was also remarkable in her creative talents. She was just as capable of hemming a pair of pants as she was creating beautiful homemade quilts or building elaborately decorated pinewood derby cars.

Beth and her late husband Mike shared a deep love for each other and the life they built. Their last chapter brought them to their camp on Lake Ossipee, where they enjoyed boating, socializing, and relaxing with friends. Though their time there was cut short following Mike’s passing in 2020 after a long battle with cancer, the memories made by the water remain a treasure to her family. Our world is a little less bright without her spirit in it.

A service in Beth’s memory will be held at True Memorial Baptist Church in Rochester, NH on Friday, April 17th, 2026. Visitation will begin at 11:00AM, followed by a 12:00PM service. Following the service, family and friends are invited to stay for a gathering to celebrate her life and legacy.

In lieu of flowers, Beth’s family requests that donations be made in her memory to the NH SPCA, an organization close to her heart.