Woodland Hills resident and business owner Karen Doan passed away this week after a short battle with cancer.
Doan was founder and owner of Doan’s Bakery in Woodland Hills.
She was born near Seattle and lived there until 1971 when the family moved to California and settled in Woodland Hills. In 1983 she started baking for Stanley’s restaurant and a handful of other clients. In 1997 with the partnership of her son, Eric, Doan’s Bakery was opened to the public, fulfilling her dream.
Doan’s is a Ventura Boulevard favorite, offering cakes, cupcakes, muffins, coffee and more for local residents and boulevard business owners.
Carrie Doan said of her, “Everyone loved Karen, she was always full of cheerful energy, eager to chat, and generous in so many ways.”
Doan became famous when actor Tom Cruise ordered her white chocolate coconut cake and sent every Christmas to his friends and colleagues. Recipients include Barbara Walters, Jimmy Fallon, Cobie Smulders, Kirsten Dunst, Henry Cavill, James Corden, Angela Bassett and other A-list celebrities. The cake and Doan’s were thus featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Graham Norton Show, Entertainment Tonight and The View.
Doan is survived by former husband Gordon, daughter Lisa, son Eric, and eight grandchildren.
No information on services was available at presstime.
