8 replies to this topic

[ropon]

I was informed by Becki Hubbell (granddaughter) that Donna Hubbell passed away today, 1/02/2024.
 

 
She was the 'Mom' to many racers at the Elyria, OH, Slot Shop.
 
More info will be provided when it's available.

[Larry Labounty]

I did the '73 Nats (?) at The Slot Shop. Donna was a super pleasant person!!!
                             
RIP, Donna.

[DOCinCanton]

Larry: Yes, the '73 Nats was held at the Slot Shop in Elyria, Ohio. It was my last race that I attended, having started a new job at General Tire.

 

Donna was the nicest person. We all called her Mom.

[MG Brown]

Here is Donna's obituary:
 
Donna L. Hubbell Obituary

Please consider posting a memory or condolence to the family on Donna's memorial wall.

[Steve Deiters]

Touching note from Jan Limpach on Donna Hubbel's memorial wall. The Slot Shop was his home track where he started as a kid and he went on to become a force in the global slot racing scene for years.
 
"Jan Limpach
January 4, 2024 - 12:33 PM
 
A second mother to some (like me)
A teacher to many (how to make those gears mesh)
And a friend to ALL... (who walked through her door)
You will be dearly missed, Mrs. Hubbell
THANK YOU, God Bless... back together with Paul
PS: And Thanks for the free track time on Saturday mornings."

[Bill Breck]

 

I always enjoyed Mrs. Hubbell's "Racing Midwest" column in Car Model magazine.

[MG Brown]

"Everybody's mother," Donna Hubbell helped raise Elyrians through slot car racing

[Steve Deiters]

Donna Hubbell...

 

What can one say about someone who touched so many lives in so many positive ways in the arc of a very long life in the hobby we grew up with and beyond?

 

She was referred to as "Mrs. Hubbell" by men way past middle age as she was known to them as little boys. A much-deserved sign of lasting respect that was imprinted in them at an early age and still carried with them for a lifetime.

 

From their humble shop they produced many of the best slot racers to come out of northeastern OH in that era who were on the caliber of West Coast and East Coast racers. One in particular was Jan Limpach who went on to success on a global level as a racer and manufacturer.

 

I knew her and her husband Paul from my time at REH Distributing and our paths crossing at major races at Parma. I have to say I have never seen a couple so much in love as Donna and Paul. They still had that awe and wonderment for each other well into the decades of their marriage.

 

Godspeed, Donna. Thank you so much for everything you did for everyone in your journey through life.  I know you never ever expected a thanks, but you richly deserve one from all of us.

[mppicione]

Amen to everything Steve said.

 

My sister Lisa and I enjoyed racing at The Slot Shop for years alongside racers like Jan, Bud Bartos, John Wisneski, and Jim (Bando) Bandes. She is in heaven now with our Lord.

 

Thank you all for posting this!