Donna Marie (Stearns) Swall

Donna Marie Stearns Swall, 86, died at home on April 3, 2016. She was born in Seattle, WA, and graduated from Franklin High School. She studied at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa, and earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Education and Home Economics from the University of Washington, a Master’s Degree in Textiles & Clothing at the University of Missouri, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas. She married Forrest Swall in 1955. She was a school social worker in Lawrence, KS, for 24 years. She and Forrest cofounded the TopekaLawrence chapter of PFLAG and were active in many social causes in Lawrence and beyond until Forrest’s death in 2014. Survivors include her sister Doris Ellis of Bellevue, WA, son Ron Swall (partner Jackie) of Lawrence, KS, daughter Tara Swall (partner Kasey) of Torrance, CA, and daughter Maria Swall (husband Doug) and grandson Ben SwallYarrington of Fort Collins, CO. Celebration of Life service: Saturday, 8/6/2016 in Lawrence, KS. Donations in her memory welcome to KU Swall Social Advocacy Award, LawrenceTopeka PFLAG, Lawrence Altrusa Club, Lawrence Civic Choir, Lawrence Unitarian Fellowship, or a cause dear to you. For additional information, please see the FOFAD page on CaringBridge dot org. Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries. LJWorld.com.