AUGUSTA – State Rep. Abigail Holman, a former executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council, was remembered Sunday as a “tremendous political force” who was well-known around the State House.

Holman, 45, died Saturday in a skiing accident at Sugarloaf USA in Carrabassett Valley.

She was participating in an annual fundraising ski race when the accident occurred, Sugarloaf spokesman Bill Swain said.

She had just completed a run and was skiing out of the finish corral when she struck a tree, Swain said. No other skier was involved. Holman was pronounced dead at Sugarloaf’s first aid clinic.

A Republican from Fayette, Holman was serving her first term in the House representing District 83. She was a member of the committees on Judiciary, and Legal and Veterans Affairs.

Holman was a lawyer and served as legal counsel and legislative director for Gov. John McKernan during his administration in the early 1990s.

Later, as executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council, Holman advocated for the industry in the State House. She was also active in local government.

Gov. John Baldacci said he had known Holman since her days in McKernan’s administration. Baldacci called Holman “a tremendous political force.”

“She was a dedicated public servant and always worked hard for the people of Maine. Her family is in our hearts and prayers during this terrible time,” Baldacci said in a statement Saturday evening.

Holman’s life was touched by tragedy in 2005 when her husband, Andrew Weegar, died when he fell from a tractor and became trapped under one of its rear wheels. Weegar, who was 41, was a writer and part-time farmer.

Holman is survived by a daughter.