Beatrice Dobie (née Bumford) 1942 – 2016

ONE of Thame’s longest serving, ex Town Councillors has tragically died, after a fall at her home in Bell Lane, Thame.

The late Beatrice Dobie (right), helping out with the cake stall at a hospital fund raising event. (Also pictured, volunteer Val Saunders)

Beatrice Dobie, 73, was found injured at her home by her cleaner, last Monday, April 18, after apparently falling down the stairs. Sadly, she passed away on Monday, this week, April 25, in hospital.

A statement from Thame Town Council, where she served as a Councillor between 2003 and 2011, and as Deputy Mayor in 2003, said: “It is with deep sadness that Thame Town Council received the news that former councillor and Thame resident, Beatrice Dobie, passed away on 25 April 2016 after a fall at her home. The Council expresses its sincere condolences to her family and friends at this very difficult time.

“She cared passionately about her community and the people in it, devoting her time and energy to local politics. She made an outstanding contribution to the civic life of Thame, recognised by the town in 2014 when she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Town Award.”

Beatrice was instrumental in fighting for a new library for Thame, helping to form The Friends of Thame Library. She was often an out-spoken member of the town council, and as an Independent Councillor, was not afraid to speak her mind. She organised Christmas Tea Parties for the elderly folk of Thame for many years, and helped run the annual Charities Fayre and Community Groups’ Lunches.

Among her other varied interests, she was also a keen supporter of Thame Community Hospital, joining the League of Friends in 1999 and a member of Girl-guiding, leading a Brownie Group and later becoming a member of the Trefoil Guild.

Beatrice was often to be seen in the town, always impeccably dressed with a fine sense of colour co-ordination, determined to do her own shopping with her trusty trolley, despite finding walking a struggle in her later months.

Mayor Cllr Nichola Dixon said, “Beatrice was wholly committed to the community she lived in. She was a commanding and passionate woman whose dedication to the town continued long after she stood down as a councillor. This is indeed sad news for the council and for all those who have come to know Beatrice over the many years she has lived in the town.”

Councillor David Dodds, added: “I am sorry to learn of the passing of Beatrice. I knew her for a very long time and she always insisted that we were related, not true, but we were often near neighbours. Outside of civic life, she was an infant teacher, holding demanding positions in High Wycombe and Blackbird Leys. Certainly she involved herself in the community, from the hospital, to Girl Guides, Women’s British Legion, the Charities Fair and campaigning for the new library and many other facets of local life. She will be missed.”

She had apparently expressed a desire to be buried in Perthshire but a Memorial service for the life of Beatrice, who converted to Catholicism in recent years, is expected to be announced at a future date.