Donna M. Kirkpatrick Pinson, age 67, of Cherry Valley, Illinois passed away on January 30, 2025. She was born October 13, 1957 to Kathlene Houpt in Hays, Kansas. Donna married the love of her life, Stoney Pinson, on June 21, 1985.
She received a Bachelor’s degree in English from Fort Hays State University, as well as three Master’s degrees in Communication, Education Administration, and School and Community Agency, and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Northern Illinois University. She was a Counselor for many years in the Byron School District and at National Louis University. She was named the Illinois Middle School Counselor of the Year by the Illinois School Counselor Association in 2010. From 2011 to 2013 she was an editorial board member of the Journal of Counseling in Illinois. Dr. Kirkpatrick Pinson was the Secretary of the Illinois Association for Adult Development and Aging and the Co-Treasurer and board member for the Schultz Foundation for Advancing. She was also a member of the Illinois Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association.
Donna found joy in life through reading, teaching, and counseling students. She enjoyed puzzles and word games. Most of all, Donna loved to help people, she dedicated her life to furthering research in counseling, ethics, and chronic disease.
Donna is survived by her husband of 39 years, Stoney Pinson; mother, Kathlene Perrigo; brother, Edward Kirkpatrick; nephews, Trey and Trent Kirkpatrick; and special sister-in-law, Ronda Pinson.
Private Services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Donna's memory may be made to National MS Society, nationalmssociety.org; and Multiple Sclerosis Society of America, [email protected].