Thomas "Tom" Charles Lovitt and Althea "Polly" Owen met as students at the University of Kansas in the early 1950s, both studying music education. Polly had grown up in Emporia, Kansas and Tom had grown up in Hutchinson and Burrton, Kansas. They received their bachelors in 1952, and Polly Lovitt went on to receive her masters in education in 1966, while Tom Lovitt earned his masters in music education in 1960 and his doctorate of education in 1966, all from KU. While studying at KU, Polly sang with the KU Chorale under the direction of Clayton Krehbiel.

After graduation, Polly Lovitt sang with choirs that included the Washington National Cathedral choir and the Kansas City Symphony Chorus. She taught middle school music.

Tom Lovitt played trumpet with the Kansas City Philharmonic and taught trumpet at the Kansas City Conservatory after serving in the United States Air Force. In 1962 he began teaching in special education in North Kansas City, Missouri and at the University of Kansas Medical Center. After finishing his doctorate, he joined the faculty at the University of Washington, from which he retired in 1997.

Polly Lovitt died in December 2010. After her death, Tom Lovitt organized a music scholarship in her honor at the University of Kansas, the Polly Owen Lovitt Music Education and Choir Scholarship. Tom Lovitt died in June 2013.