Andrea Burton, adjunct professor of sociology and anthropology at Washburn University, died on Oct. 27 after battling cancer. 

Burton was born in Youngstown, Ohio,  where she attended Youngstown State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She went on to complete a master’s degree in sociology at Kent State University.

At Washburn, Burton worked as an adjunct instructor for almost 11 years, teaching classes such as Intro to Sociology and Aging and Society.

She and her husband, Russell Burton, adopted and opened their home to many foster children during her lifetime.

Burton was heavily involved in the community and was passionate about making society a better place. 

She also was involved with the Page Turners book club in Topeka, was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church and worked with the Kansas Historical Society at the State Capitol as the visitor center coordinator.

The visitation and funeral were held Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Church.