WESTMORELAND, Jamaica – A cloud of sadness has blanketed the Townhead Baptist Church in Westmoreland where party supporters and residents are gathered ata thanksgiving service for former People’s National Party (PNP) councillor-candidate for the Friendship Division, Maxine Salabie.

Salabie, who died on January 3 at hospital after she collapsed at a party meeting at Hotel Commingle in Westmoreland, was on her way to represent her party at the upcoming polls when the worst happened.

The 49-year-old former PNP standard-bearer who had been named the party’s candidate a few months prior to her passing was excited to run on the PNP ticket, after turning away from the Jamaica Labour Party 11 years earlier.

Her niece Claudine Vernon told Observer Online on Saturday that she is still in a state of shock following her aunt’s sudden death.

“I am shocked by the sudden loss of my dear aunt. She was always full of love and light and I just spoke with her over the Christmas [holiday] and she was excited about her new political endeavours,” her distraught niece said as she signed the attendance booklet at the funeral.

Chairman of the PNP’s Region, Ian Halyes, brought greetings from PNP President Mark Golding.

“On behalf of the People’s National Party and the five candidates of Western Westmoreland I personally want to thank the Salabie family for giving Maxine to us to offer herself in service,” Hayles said in his address to a church packed with mourners.

Hayles, in reading Golding’s tribute said Salabie’s sudden departure had sent shockwaves throughout the party and community. He said Comrade Salabie’s untimely passing was difficult and she would be “irreplaceable in our hearts”.

Also present at the thanksgiving service were the candidates for Western Westmoreland, including Joan Bahadur who replaced Salabie as the councillor-candidate for the Friendship Division.

Salabie will be laid to rest at her family plot at Nancy Pond, Townhead.

-Kimberley Peddie