Donna T. Love

Donna T. Love, 90, of Topeka, passed away Dec. 1, 2012. She was born Jan. 4, 1922 an only child, to Roy and Shirley (Hannah) Testerman at Topeka, KS. She is survived by her son, Todd Love, of Topeka, his wife Michele and their children Kegan and Alair, and her daughter, Amy Love of Edmond, OK. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Love, in 1998.

She graduated from Washburn University with a degree in Psychology in 1943 and pursued her graduate studies at Columbia University. She finished her MSW at Washington University in 1946. She was working at the children's division of Menninger's in 1956 when she was recruited to teach Washburn's first social case work course which was offered through the sociology department. Soon the one course grew into a bachelor's degree. Because of her effort, Washburn's Department of Social work was in the first group of undergraduate schools of social work in the nation to be accredited by the Council of Social Work Education. She developed a master's in social work degree that was approved in 1993. Washburn began its MSW program in 1995. For many years, she took Washburn students to Cambridge International Summer School in England. She experienced summer sabbaticals to Germany, London, and Switzerland to study social programs. She was still teaching at age 86 after retiring more than once. Donna was the Chair of the Washburn Department of Social Work until April of 1992. She then became Professor Emeritus.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 at Dove Cremation & Funeral Service Chapel at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Donna Love Master of Social Work Scholarship Fund in care of Washburn University Foundation, 1729 SW MacVicar, Topeka, Kansas 66604.