Doris Loraine McKown

Doris Lorraine Bauer McKown was born May 21, 1933 in Warren County Hospital, Warren, Pennsylvania Doris Lorraine Bauer McKown passed peacefully into the arms of our Heavenly Father after a long, slow decline of health on Monday, November 2, 2026 at Jasmine Estates of Edmond where she had resided since February 2023.

With her parents, Fred Augusta Bauer and Ina Ishman Bauer, and younger sister Mary Elizabeth, Doris grew up and went to school through the 8th grade in Clarendon, Pa. where her father owned and operated a Steel Barrel Recycling Plant. She graduated from Warren High School in 1951 and Mercyhurst College of Erie, Pa. in l956 with a degree in Bio-Chemistry. After graduation she received her training and certification as a Registered Medical Technologist at Alleghany General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa. With her certification she worked for the University of Pittsburgh down the hall from where Dr. Salk developed the polio vaccine, and then Westinghouse’s Atomic Energy Plant at Bettis Field, Wilkinsburg, Pa.

Active in a Young Adult Group at the First Methodist Church of Pittsburgh, where Doris met a young Naval Officer, Ltjg. Robert S. McKown. They were engaged on Valentines Day February 14th and married September 27, 1958 at Clarendon Methodist Church in Doris’ hometown.

Settled in Oklahoma City, Doris soon went to work as a Registered Medical Technologist at University Hospital where she remained until a few months prior to the birth of their first child, Rebecca Lynn in 1961. A second daughter, Cynthia Louise followed in 1964.

In addition to being very actively involved at their church, Wesley United Methodist, Doris loved being part of the many activities of the girls as they grew up. She also volunteered as an election official for 25+ years, the Lyric Theatre Guild, the Esther Group, Bible Study groups, 3 book clubs, a bridge group, mah-jongg groups, birthday luncheon group, and a ladies dinner group. She loved to travel, ice skate, play tennis and knit colorful patterned sweaters. A former club tennis champion at Quail Creek Golf and Country Club where they were members for 54 years. She loved to watch and follow OU athletics, especially football, women’s softball, men’s & women’s basketball and men’s & women’s gymnastics, and of course the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Doris is predeceased by her parents Fred and Ina Bauer, sister and brother-in-law Mary and Dick Cunningham, son-in-law Thomas Whipple, grandson Phillip Ryan, and niece Heidi Cunningham. She is survived by Bob (husband of 68 years), daughters Becky Whipple (Chris Manning) and Cindy Ryan (Scott), grandson Matthew Whipple (Kelsey Pryor), granddaughter Caroline Ryan Woodruff (Braden), great grandson Weston Woodruff, a large extended family including many nieces and nephews and many friends who will miss her warm smile and sweet disposition.

A Memorial service will be held at Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th St, Oklahoma City on Friday, November 20, 2026 at 2pm.

If desired, memorials may be made to Wesley United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 1401 NW 25th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106; the Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, 1727 N W 16th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106; or a charity of the donor’s choice.