North Central Electric Cooperative is mourning the loss of retired board member Eileen Gabel, who passed away Friday June 17 at age 74. 

Mrs. Gabel of Tiffin (Liberty Township) served 18 years on the North Central board, the first and only woman to ever serve. Her sixth and final term ended at the cooperative’s annual meeting in June, which was the first annual meeting she had ever missed.

“We were certainly saddened to hear Eileen had passed,” Duane Frankart, North Central board president said. “The cooperative was part of her extended family. She was an active board member right up to the end and was in tears when she told me she wouldn’t be able to attend the annual meeting. She cared so much about the cooperative.”

She served as the board secretary for 10 years and represented North Central at the annual legislative rally in Washington, D.C., for several years, where leaders met with elected officials to discuss cooperative issues. 

“Eileen served on our board because she truly wanted to serve others. She always wanted to do what was in the best interest of our members,” Frankart said. “We extend our deepest sympathies to Eileen’s children. Eileen’s compassion and friendship will truly be missed.”