A native of Arkansas, Mary McKean moved to Oklahoma to pursue a degree in journalism. After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1943, she went to work for The Daily Oklahoman,working alongside editor Milton Meier. The couple fell in love and married in 1947.
Mary's devotion to family was apparent to anyone who met her. She lived every day loving, remembering and honoring her family. In 1993, Mary walked into the Oklahoma City Community Foundation with a check in hand and a plan to honor her brother, Lt. Felix Christopher McKean, who had died in World War II.
Following her death in 2004, Mary left her estate to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation with instructions to establish funds to support the Fund for Oklahoma City in honor of her family members: David Felix McKean, Felix Christopher McKean, Alice and Karl Meier, Christina Moore McKean and Mary and Christopher Moore.