1914 – 2014

LEWISTON — Thelda K. Dobbins, 100, of 41 Pleasant St., Auburn, died on Saturday, Aug. 9, at Central Maine Medical Center.

Born in Lisbon Falls on April 26, 1914, she was the daughter of William and Gertrude Risska Kirschner. She graduated from Lisbon Falls High School in 1930 and from the Farmington State Normal School in 1932, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maine in Orono.

In 1938, she married Lester Dobbins, and they had been married for 62 years at the time of his death in 2000. Thelda taught school in Durham, Sabattus, Monmouth and Lewiston, retiring from Pettingill School in 1973, after a 35-year career. After retiring, she spent winters in New Port Richey, Fla., for 25 years.

Thelda was a member of the Community Baptist Church in Sabattus and the various groups associated with the church. A member and past matron of the Lakeside Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, she received recognition as being a 75-year member of the OES in November 2008. Thelda was a member and past chief of the Pythian Sisters of Sabattus. She was a member of many other groups, including the Androscoggin Retired Educators Association, Maine Educators Association, National Teachers Association and the National Retired Teachers Association.

She celebrated her 100th birthday with a party of friends and family, and was presented a flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol, along with a congratulatory letter from U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud.

Survivors include her son, Herbert and wife, Mary Ann (Spugnardi) Dobbins, of Windham; two grandchildren, Krista and husband, Bruce Couturier, of Deering, N.H., and Kirt Dobbins and wife, Corinne, of Warminster, Pa.; and five great-grandchildren, Natalie, Vanessa and Ian Dobbins and Antonia and Alanna Couturier.

Condolences and a video tribute may be accessed online at www.albert-burpee.com.