Mabel was one of five children born to Noel and Mary Nihoul in Crescent City Florida. She graduated from Crescent City High School in 1938. She finished college at Florida State with degrees in Psychology and Social Work. During WWII she worked for Hamilton Propeller Co. as a vibration analyst. Later, after attending engineering classes at Penn State, she continued working as an engineering aid until WWII ended in 1945.
In 1947, she graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Physical Therapy. In 1952, she enlisted in the USAF as a 1st Lieutenant and worked at the Medical Specialist Corps located at Barksdale AFB until leaving at the rank of Captain in 1954.
Mabel moved to Alaska in 1956, and worked throughout the state as a Physical Therapist. While working for the Alaska Elks Cerebral Palsy Commission, treating children in the Villages throughout Southeast Alaska, she was given an award from Coastal Ellis Airlines for having travelled over 100,000 miles with them while treating children of Alaska.
In April 1961, she married Burton Doucette and on December 7, 1962, had a son, Dennis. Eventually Burt, Mabel, and Dennis moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Burt worked for the Alaska Department of Labor and Mabel worked at Ridgeview Manor Nursing Home and later, the Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage.
Burt died from cancer November 5, 1987. After Burt’s death, Mabel became involved with volunteer work with Hospice, Laubach Literacy, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
She moved to the Holladay Plaza Continuing Care Residence in Portland, Oregon, in 1995.
Mabel was a Commander of the (all women’s) American Legion Post 1 in Anchorage, Alaska, a member of the Moose Club, and the Elks Club. She enjoyed playing cards, usually cribbage, but other games too.
She loved cooking her homemade macaroni and cheese, beef stroganoff over rice or Alaskan seafood (king crab was her favorite) for her friends and loved ones, or going to her favorite restaurants, especially the ones that had a view.
Mabel has passed on to a better world, but the memories she has created with the people she worked with, helped, and enjoyed life with will keep her alive in our hearts and minds forever.
Mabel’s ashes will be spread in Alaska at a future date.
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