Doris Wright Coldren, Ph.D.
Doris Wright Coldren, Ph.D., age 93, Uniontown Pa., passed away Monday April 30, 2018 in Mount Macrina Manor.
She was born June 3, 1924 in Brownsville, Pa., a daughter of the late William Louis Wright and Catherine L. (Lewis) Wright.
She was also preceded in death by her husband, Smith Coldren.
Doris was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School.
She was a graduate of Brownsville High School and California University in 1946 with at Bachelors in Education and Masters Degree in English.
She was a past Worth Matron and Secretary of Uniontown Chapter 263 Order of the Eastern Star a former member of Margaret Cavin Shrine and Colonel Andrew Lynn Chapter of DAR. The number of charities Doris participated in are too numerous to mention. She provided guided tours at Mount Saint Macrina and Nemacolin Castle in Brownsville.
She taught at Brownsville High School, St. John’s High School, California University of Pennsylvania and Penn State University Fayette the Eberly Campus.
She was a member of Kappa Delta Gamma Alpha, the Shakespeare Club of Uniontown, the Brownsville Historical Society, member and President of Brownsville Professional Women’s Club, and a member of the honorary education fraternity Kappa Delta Phi.
Doris retired from the Pennsylvania State University Fayette the Eberly Campus after 29 years of service. She began her career as a part-time English instructor and since then has served as Fayette campus’ English teachers representative for the Commonwealth Educational System and as a member of the University Faculty Senate and chair of the Fayette campus Senate. At Fayette, Doris served as the coordinator for the Division of Undergraduate Studies, University Scholars Program, English 4 testing, and the Learning Enrichment Center, which she established. She received the J. Harold Arnold Award for Public Service Excellence, ORSAF Research Grant, NDEA award for Teachers of English. Doris was the seventh recipient of the Outstanding Fellow Award of Fayette Campus.
Left to cherish Doris’ memory are her sister, Jackie Schwenk of Uniontown, Pa.; cousin, Howard Chamberlain; nephew, William (Pat) Schwenk; great nephew, Rick Schwenk (Dala); great nieces: Glori (Kevin) Burrell and Sandra (Kevin) Burr; four great-great nieces; one great-great nephew.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIES, INC., 80 Morgantown Street, Uniontown, Pa., where the family will receive friends today, May 3, 2018 from 10 until 11 a.m followed by a Service Celebrating Doris’ Life at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Donald Kephart will officiate.
Interment will follow in Bridgeport Cemetery, Brownsville, Pa.
Donations in Doris’ memory can be made to Uniontown Chapter 263 O.E.S., c/o Joyce Fortney, 302 North Market Street, Carmichaels, PA 15230.
Visitation was also held Wednesday, May 2, 2018 from 2 until 4 p.m. and 6 until 8 p.m.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at adferguson.com and on the funeral home’s Facebook page.