AUGUSTA – Friends, colleagues and family remembered Abigail Holman on Thursday morning as a dedicated and talented political force, a devoted mother and a down-to-earth woman who loved the outdoors, a good laugh and great pair of shoes.

Fellow legislators traded in their seats in the House and Senate chambers for pews down the street at St. Mary’s church for the morning funeral service. Yellow banners hung from the pillars, and pink, red and white flowers lined the altar. About 500 people attended the approximately 90-minute service.

Holman died Saturday in a ski accident at Sugarloaf USA, a resort in Carrabassett Valley. She was serving her first term as a Republican representative for Belgrade, Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon and Vienna.

“Part of Abby’s success was her ability to work as a team,” said former Gov. John R. McKernan Jr. Holman worked for McKernan as a legal adviser.

He also spoke to her sense of humor. During a celebration several years ago for Sawin Millett Jr. of Waterford, who also worked for McKernan and is now a Republican representative, Holman “wore a cow costume, complete with plastic udders,” McKernan said. The celebration was to dedicate Millett’s farm.

Holman was also a devoted mother, he said. Her husband died in an accident on their farm, leaving her to care for their 8-year-old daughter.

During the ceremony, Holman’s daughter smiled bravely at family members. She had a small, stuffed purple bear, which she placed in the pocket of the pew in front of her.

Passionate, honest

Rep. Joshua Tardy, R-Newport, the House minority leader, spoke about Holman’s character as a legislator. He called her passionate, honest and inspirational.

“She was always trying to improve policy by asking the tough questions,” he said.

Marianne MacMaster, friend and assistant to Holman, spoke about their time working together when Holman was a lobbyist.

“(I heard) ‘We’ve got a new attorney on the stand,'” she said. “Little did I know it was someone who would impact my life forever.”

Three friends then got up, with Kathleen Newman speaking for them.

“She loved fishing, hunting and being in the wild,” Newman said. “She was also a complete fashionista. She loved shoes.”

After the funeral, three members of the Lewiston delegation stood outside, talking about their experiences with Holman in the Legislature.

Rep. Margaret Craven, D-Lewiston, said her one encounter with Holman came when Holman testified in front of the Appropriations Committee on behalf of Land For Maine’s Future. During that testimony, she talked about her husband’s death and how the family “rescued their farm from extinction.”

Rep. Richard Wagner, D-Lewiston, said Holman’s family grew up around the bend from him.

“They were a very close-knit family, and extremely active,” he said.

Rep. Elaine Makas, D-Lewiston, said she knew Holman best from when she was a lobbyist for a forestry organization.

“She was on the other side of the issue of the Androscoggin (River),” Makas said. “She always fought fair; I have a lot of respect for her.”

On Tuesday, House Speaker Glenn Cummings, D-Portland, stood at Holman’s seat in the House chamber and read a special sentiment in her honor.

The light behind him was flickering, Makas said Thursday. “If anybody could make that light flicker, it would be Abby,” she said.