Doris Putkovich, age 91, passed away on January 12, 2026. Born to the late George and Zora Raynovich on Pittsburgh’s south side, Doris never forgot her extensive Serbian roots. It was a rare and legendary match of brilliance and creativity when Doris, the city girl, met and married Rudy, the country boy, and they established their idyllic, joyous rural home near Murrysville. She gave up her job at Bell Telephone to marry, and to raise four daughters, whom she delighted not only by hand-sewing chic, couture fashions for their Barbies, but also by keeping them supplied with a steady stream of homemade oatmeal cookies, one-of-a-kind birthday cakes, and apple pies made from homegrown apples. In her spare moments, Doris’s unquenchable curiosity and desire to learn led her to many, many pursuits. She learned and became a master of calligraphy, once completing a commission for Princess Grace of Monaco. She taught herself to read and write Russian, and the Cyrillic alphabet. She made a thorough study of Jungian dream analysis and participated in many dream groups. She read thousands of books. She learned belly-dancing and cake-decorating. Perhaps her most ardent passion was tai chi. After Rudy and Doris’s move to Regent Square, she not only became a devoted student, but also a masterful instructor, teaching many tai chi classes around Pittsburgh for decades, up until a few months before her death. For a few years she taught a group of women in the Allegheny County Jail. Doris made friends with everyone, everywhere. She was a devoted wife for 69 years, and caregiver to her husband Rudy prior to his passing. They laughed together much, and taught their daughters to laugh along with them. Doris is survived by her four daughters: Fay Putkovich, Amy Kennedy, Eve Putkovich, and Lynn Armocida Radke (husband, Bill); also survived by three grandchildren: August Armocida, Camille Mitchell (husband, David), and Christian Armocida (partner, Ciara Short); and two great-grandchildren: Marceline Armocida and Damian Mitchell. Also survived by sister-in-law Mary Anne Raynovich (the late George), brother-in-law Ken Putkovich (wife, Betty), and nephews and nieces George, Andy, Donna, Diana, and Ken Jr. Doris’s family is extremely grateful to and appreciative of caregivers and friends Rita Talackine and Kathy Williams, Seneca Hills Village, and Family Hospice. Remember Doris by always looking on the bright side, laughing a lot, and raising a glass to her well-lived life, all while standing on one foot.