The Lesley community received some devastating news this week, with the report of the homicide of Kimberly Dobbie, who graduated from our Threshold Program in 1990.
The mother of two 11-year-old sons, Dobbie was 48 and living in Lewiston, Maine, when she was fatally stabbed by a man, whom passers-by apprehended and police later arrested and charged with murder.
The Portland Press Herald reported that police identified the man as 76-year-old Albert Flick, who had been imprisoned in 1979 for stabbing his wife. State police said Dobbie and her assailant knew one another, though were not in a relationship.
President Jeff Weiss expressed the grief of the Lesley community, saying, “Kimberly Dobbie’s death is a senseless, horrific tragedy. Gerri and my hearts ache for her children, friends and loved ones, and the entire Lesley community mourns the loss of one of our family.”
The newspaper quotes Dobbie’s friends, who remembered her warm smile, as well as her kind and trusting nature.
Kathy Cormier, who organized a July 16 vigil, told the Press Herald: “Her smile will be eternal; a big bright spot in all of our lives. … She’s not a woman that will be forgotten.”
A celebration of Dobbie's life is scheduled for 1 p.m., Aug. 18, at First Parish, 20 Lexington Road, Concord, Mass., according to her obituary.
Alumni who knew Kim and are seeking support at this difficult time can contact Cara Gorham Streit, director of Threshold Alumni Programs, at cgorham2@lesley.edu or 617-349-8631.