Profile: Deb Thibault
Deb Thibault joins COA Board
The Chesterfield Council on Aging is fortunate to have the addition of a new member who served as the coordinator of the Plainfield Council on Aging. Deb joins us at a time when she has already been part of the movement to develop “age friendly” communities in the Hilltowns. During her role as coordinator, Plainfield expanded its outreach program to work with a newly formed initiative called “Plainfield Cares”. This program sowed the seeds for creating a community-wide approach to helping older adults “age in place”. It also helped the other six towns within the Northern Hilltowns Consortium of Councils on Aging expand their plans to reduce isolation.
Deb knows a great deal about Hilltown country life. Born in Easthampton, she later lived in Turners Falls, Millers Falls, Cummington, Goshen and Plainfield. She has a keen sense of what it takes to make a livelihood on a farm. She has raised sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and turkeys. Having sheep led to spinning, knitting and weaving. When asked about what she enjoyed about farming, she talks about the pleasure of being outside and growing your own food and fresh meat. Deb has a lot of experience and the skills that made it possible to become a teacher. She then expanded her craft work to include working with and teaching ceramics.
Deb’s experience in gardening goes beyond the usual range of vegetables. She studied for five years at the Blazing Herbal School in Ashfield and has the knowledge needed to grow both edible and medicinal herbs. When she moved into her apartment in Chesterfield, she started a garden behind the house and near the woods. Of course, she struggles with four legged woodland critters that like to enjoy her crops.
As a mother of three and grandmother of eight, she knows what it’s like to love more than one generation of a family, even though the jobs change.
Deb enjoys cooking and cake decoration. She is enjoying getting to know people, exploring what living in Chesterfield is like, what it has to offer and how she can contribute to helping older adults in this small town.
We look forward to her being part of the Council on Aging!
Posted: to Chesterfield News on Mon, Sep 2, 2019
Updated: Mon, Sep 2, 2019