Doris M. Keck

OBITUARY

Doris M. Keck, 95, of Allentown, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. She was the wife of the late Kermit K. Keck, who died in 2015.

Born in Allentown, she was a daughter of the late Allen M. and Mary E. (Kline) Rau. Doris fondly recalled the piano and singing lessons that she and her sisters received as young children, as well as the many performances they offered to local organizations. She was a graduate of William Allen High School and the Philadelphia General Hospital Nursing School. Doris worked as a Registered Nurse and 2nd Shift Nurse Manager at the Phoebe Home in Allentown for 22 ½ years until retiring in 1989. She was also a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Allentown.

In retirement, Doris and Kermit were able to travel extensively and enjoy many cruises. They also loved to entertain family and friends at their home in Myrtle Beach, which they owned for 24 years. Doris will be remembered as a sweet, kind and compassionate woman. She was often referred to as “the best Mom you could ask for” and was always a “favorite aunt” to her nieces and nephews.

Survivors: Doris was adored by all who knew her, but she will be most missed dearly by her children, Cathy Layland with whom she resided, Cheryl Higgins and her husband Timothy of Phoenixville and Kenneth M. Keck of Drexel Hill; sister, Elizabeth Allen and her husband Richard of Jim Thorpe; brother, William A. Rau and his partner Thomas Lolley of West Grove; 6 grandchildren, Douglas Clendenning (Caity), Cole Clendenning, Meghan Keck, Colleen Keck, Declan Keck and Kimberly Thiel; 1 great-grandson, Wilder Thiel; loving nieces and nephews. Doris was also preceded in death by an infant daughter Janice Eileen Keck and sisters Marion Laudenslager and Anna Cunningham.

Services: A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 201 E. Juniata Street, Allentown, PA 18103. A visitation will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service in the church. Interment will follow at St. Mark’s Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, Allentown.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church, to World Central Kitchen, PO Box 96538, Washington, DC 20090-6538 or to Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.