A few days after her mother’s death, Michele O’Hara was planning the funeral and waiting for her brother to return home from overseas.

Meanwhile, O’Hara was receiving calls from people she’d never met, people who wanted to tell her how her mother, former state Sen. Georgette Berube, “was so kind and wonderful” in helping them.

The family, which is planning a Mass on Thursday at Holy Cross Church in Lewiston, planned to keep the service “simple,” the way she would want. “She was very practical. We’re trying to respect that,” O’Hara said.

That may be easier said than done because of her impact.

Georgette Berube was down-to-earth, unassuming, loaded with common sense and brave. When you asked her a question she answered directly, with few words.

She was quiet, but also strong. The longest-serving woman in the Legislature in Maine’s history, the Lewiston Democrat ran for office at a time when few women sought such positions. A Democrat and fiscal conservative, she treated everyone with respect, and in turn she earned the respect of both parties. When Berube spoke, people listened. She used that power to help her constituents, her city and her state.

Aspiring candidates for office often courted Berube, knowing if they could tell voters Georgette supported them, it would speak volumes.

For those reasons and more, it’s easy to predict a full house at the “simple” service on Thursday. Her friend, former Maine Catholic Bishop Joseph Gerry, will co-officiate. Gov. John Baldacci, who served with her in the state Senate, will be there. And undoubtedly a lot of other people whose lives she touched will be there too, some powerful, some not.

Because she didn’t talk much about what she’d done in politics, her three granddaughters, ages 11, 15 and 17, are just now beginning to realize who their grandmother was and all she did, O’Hara said.

Those granddaughters, who Berube spoke of when she retired in 2000, don’t have far to look for a role model. Neither do we.

Goodbye, Georgette, and thank you.

OPEGA gets to work

Taxpayers concerned about how their money is spent have a new state office looking out for them.

After a year or more of controversy over whether it should exist, the new Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability is up and running, staffed by one: Director Beth Ashcroft. Two more staffers, an administrative assistant and another analyst, will soon be hired.

A 12-member, bipartisan legislative committee, which will provide oversight to OPEGA, has been named. It’s chaired by Sen. Ken Gagnon, D-Waterville, and Rep. Edward Dugay, D-Cherryfield. The only committee member from this area is Rep. Lillian O’Brien, D-Lewiston.

OPEGA’s job is to give legislators objective evaluations on which programs are effective and which ones are wasting taxpayers’ dollars. The new office will soon have a Web site so people can learn about OPEGA and what it’s up to.

Trying not to laugh

Two days after Gov. John Baldacci’s rib-breaking fall at the Blaine House, he answered a few questions about the incident. He broke three ribs on Feb. 16 after slipping on ice and landing on his side on a step when he went outside to get the morning newspapers. Baldacci said he’s learned to be more careful: If he had looked down, he would have noticed the glaze of ice.

Despite breaking a rib last February in a car crash, Baldacci joked that February is actually a good month for him because, “I didn’t hit my head.”

But Baldacci’s trying not to laugh these days. Broken ribs and laughter are a painful combination.

The pain was decreasing. Baldacci said Friday he’s taking Advil, has received many well wishes and has new footwear.

A Biddeford company that makes shoes for icy surfaces sent him a pair.

When asked if it was time for his dogs, Sam and Murphy, to retrieve the newspapers, Baldacci said they usually do get the papers. That day, however, he had followed Sam out the door because Sam needed encouragement to go outside.

Smart dog.

Quote of the week: Don’t forget “my people. People who used to work in the mills, small businessmen, the retirees, the elderly and the plain, hardworking people who get up every morning, work, come home, take care of their kids and, on the weekends, hold a second job.”

– Former Sen. Georgette Berube’s advice in 2000 to her successor

Bonnie Washuk is a State House reporter.