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We are saddened by the passing of Mabel Doyle, a member of the museum’s Board of Directors and wife of one of the most important New England Dragway founders, Jack Doyle.

Mabel began as a museum volunteer and could be counted on whenever we needed her. She was named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2022 by the museum’s staff and soon after was nominated to join the museum’s Board of Directors.

Until his passing, she brought Checkers, a dog beloved to both Mabel and her husband, to the museum. Checkers greeted everyone who visited. On NASCAR race weekends, Mabel, Jack and Checkers stayed in their mobile home at the track so they could be in the museum to greet the first guests who arrived.

Mabel was an active board member with great insight and suggestions and was always motivated to move things forward. She championed the effort for the museum to extend its drag racing presentation. Mabel encouraged owners of drag racing cars and motorcycles to display them at our outdoor vehicle shows. From there she stirred up the message that there should be more drag racing cars in the building. And so there were.

She was the strongest voice for drag racing to become a bigger part of the museum’s indoor display field. And she was very successful at it.

During her illness when she was no longer able to attend board meetings she said she hoped she could still be a board member. Mabel was very proud of her membership in the Board of Directors and didn’t take it lightly. She believed she was nominated for a reason and that was to get the work done. While in Hospice from her home, she continued working as much as her health allowed. Mabel made phone calls to the NED Allstars to promote their bench racing event at the museum earlier this month. Even while she was on oxygen and challenged with health issues, she involved herself in the details of the presentation, setting and refreshments to ensure that all went as she would have wanted if she could have been there herself.

Over the past month she continued her work to bring youth into the museum with Jr. Dragsters. She arranged for a Jr. Dragster racer to be on display at the museum and part of the youth zone at the May 3rd Racer’s Reunion. Mabel couldn’t stop herself from pushing forward when it came to her passion. She advocated and worked as long as she could.

For many, Mabel’s cry of “Welcome to the New England Racing Museum” was their initial experience of the museum. Guests knew that her smile and voice was the real deal and that they were indeed welcome.

We will miss that smile, voice, passion and Mabel Doyle expressions that delivered her message. She was a very special person and those she leaves behind will remember her fondly. Mabel said she wanted to leave a legacy. She certainly has.