West Prince community leader dies following battle with cancer

MIMINEGASH, P.E.I. — A well-known community leader in West Prince has died.

Mabel Thibodeau served more than four decades on Miminegash community council, including one-term as chairwoman. She was 76.

Her son, Wayne Thibodeau, credits his Mom with his passion for his community and his province.

“From as early as I can remember, Mom would be hauling me to one community meeting or another; collecting funds for one of a dozen or more community charities; or taking part in a protest or demonstration to fight for justice for those who did not have a voice of their own,” said her son, who is now managing editor of The Guardian.

“Mom went about her work quietly, not looking for any credit or recognition. She just wanted to do everything she could for her community, and for her region of the province –  a region she loved so much.”

In addition to her role on Miminegash community council, Thibodeau was a founding member of the Women in Support of Fishing, a group of women who organized in the early 1980s to fight for better prices and working conditions for the region’s Irish moss fishermen. The group also established the Irish Moss Interpretive Centre and Seaweed Pie Café. 

Thibodeau was also a member of Ebbsfleet Women’s Institute, Miminegash Recreation Commission, and Miminegash Fishermen’s Festival. She also helped organize and volunteer for the Palmer Road Parish Picnic, fundraised for the Miminegash Fire Department volunteering for the weekly community bingo for years and collected money for a host of groups and organizations including the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society, to name just a few.

Added her son, “There wasn’t an organization in the community she wasn’t the head of, helped organize, or was instrumental in starting.” 

Miminegash’s current mayor, Audrey Callaghan, said Thibodeau played an instrumental role in many groups and organizations in her community. 

Callaghan said Thibodeau was a close friend and will be dearly missed.

“Mabel was a great supporter for our community, always willing to help every organization,” said Callaghan. “Her love of sports and music have always been very evident as she shared her talent with church, seniors and local groups. Her many friend always enjoyed chatting with her, as we all knew where she stood on many issues.”

Thibodeau died on Saturday following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Her son said while she was busy with her community, her family always came first.

“I credit my Mom for making me not only a more compassionate journalist, but also a more compassionate person,” he said. 

“Mom, you are my hero. I look up to you every day. You will always and forever be in my heart.”