Doris Mary (O'Brien) Urban

Doris Mary Urban, 92, of Battle Creek, MI died with daughters at her side on February 14, 2026, at Bronson Battle Creek hospital, while recovering after a 3rd hip surgery within four months. These last months of her life were very exhausting and disorienting for her, including eight sleeping location changes from October 2025 to February 2026. But her pain and suffering are now over, and she is finally at peace.

Doris was born and raised in “Upstate” NY Rensselaer/Schenectady area where she and husband Richard Bernard Urban met when she was just 17. They were married for 63 years until his passing in 2014. She joins Richard “Dick”, son James Jay Urban, sisters Elaine Smith and Diane Benanto, and brother Thomas O’Brien - all deceased. She is survived by son Richard P. Urban (Jane Telleen), Karen E. Siders (Greg), Michelle L. Evans (Rick), and Tracy A. Sokolowski (Roger), eight grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and dear friend Linda Fish.

“Miss Doris” quickly grabbed the hearts of those who cared for her in the end, being described to family as feisty, wily, so funny and just so cute! But after three falls requiring surgery at age 92, she really tested all the people skills of the PT/OT staffs at Calhoun County Rehab facility and CenterWell Health. Our family would like to publicly thank the aides, med-techs, nurses and admin staff at those organizations; the caregivers at Lakeview Assisted Living and HomeJoy; the doctors, nurses and staff at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital; and the ambulance EMTs and drivers of Battle Buddy Mobility Transport. We could never have survived these last few months without your flexibility, patience, kindness and skill. You have our deepest gratitude and respect for the skills and professionalism you brought to our aid.

In her younger years, Doris had various short-term jobs and used to talk a lot about working at GE during the war ‘while all the men were gone’. She got a paralegal degree later in life after the family moved to Battle Creek, MI for Dick’s job. She passionately followed news and politics her entire life and was as sharp as a tack up until her first fall last October. She still regularly played bridge on her computer and would never lose in a game of Scrabble. She and Dick retired to Calabash, NC in 1989 where all the family has vacationed ever since. In recent years Doris was back in Battle Creek and living independently, enjoying more time with family and dinners on the deck at her daughter Tracy’s house on Sonoma Lake.

As many will attest, her favorite things to say were “I’m 92 – everything hurts!” and “Everything’s a Big Damn Deal!!”, a snippet she took from her old friend Shirley Callahan.

The immediate family will attend a burial at Ft. Custer where Doris will be laid to rest next to Dick. The more extended family and cousins plan to celebrate her beautiful life at her favorite place, Sunset Beach, NC in June. Donations can be given in her name to any local PBS Network or the ACLU.

Arrangements by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Personal messages for Doris’ family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com