Passed away July 26, 2014 at the age of 76. Diane was born May 18, 1938 in Fort Wayne, IN to Wilbert and Dorothy (Thullen) Sax. She received her BS degree at Purdue University in 1960, MA degree at Michigan State University in 1968 and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1971. She was a Professor Emeritus of Social Work, College of Social Science, Michigan State University.
Diane enjoyed the out-of-doors; spending time at the lake cottage and on the lake in northern Indiana; hiking in any natural environment; travel, and making friends with any and every dog she encountered. She was a life-long piano player and recently took up playing the ukulele that she left behind after undergraduate school.
Her achievements include teaching Human Behavior and Social Environment (HBSE) Theory in MSU’s School of Social Work MSW Program; serving as Acting Director of MSU’s School of Social Work; as visiting professor at Northern Michigan University in 1971; fellow of the Gerentological Society of America; doing major research in the care and treatment of older adults; delivering presentations at state and national conferences; publishing numerous papers and a textbook on HBSE; establishing and supporting the Diane Levande Endowed Fund for Work with Older Adults, School of Social Work, College of Social Science, Michigan State University; past member of the City of East Lansing’s Senior Commission and being an advocate for women’s rights and women’s studies education.
She is survived by her husband of 49 years, James S. Levande, Ph.D.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 1, 2014, 10:00 am at St. John Church and Student Center, 327 MAC Avenue, East Lansing. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 31, 2014, 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Avenue, East Lansing, MI. Rosary will be prayed at 7:30 pm.
Contributions may be made to: Diane Levande Endowed Fund for Work with Older Adults, School of Social Work, College of Social Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48823, Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W. Grand River Ave., Lansing, MI 48906, Greater Lansing Food Bank, P. O. Box 16224, Lansing, MI 48901, or Prime Time Seniors’ Program, Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823,
The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, East Lansing. On line condolences may be made at
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