Remembering Professor Linda Duncombe

We are sad to share that Linda Duncombe passed away last week. We have lost a great colleague and friend. Professor Duncombe first joined the occupational therapy faculty at Boston University in 1974. She remained in that role for 34 years before retiring in 2009. Along the way, she became a double Terrier, earning both her MS and EdD degrees at BU.

From 1991 until her retirement, Professor Duncombe was the Academic Fieldwork Coordinator for the OT professional-entry programs, responsible for securing and maintaining relationships with clinical sites across the US, matching students with placements, and supporting all students while they completed their full-time Level ll Fieldwork. In this role, she interacted with every student (sometimes more than 100 a year) at a crucial point in their professional education, and she was dedicated to their success. She remembered all of them even years after they graduated and moved on in their OT careers.

She was also dedicated to supporting fieldwork clinical supervisors to provide effective guidance to their students. This work continued even after retirement as she served as a Certified Fieldwork Educator for the American Occupational Therapy Association. She was dedicated to her family, proud of being an occupational therapist and BU alum, and an integral part of our Department. She will be greatly missed.

Sincerely,

Wendy Coster, Professor and Chair, OT Department

Memorial Service

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church in Newton (848 Beacon Street, Newton, MA  02459), followed by a reception. Attendees are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing.

During the service, there will be an opportunity for people to speak about Linda, for anyone who would like to do so.