Jane Henson of Muppet family fame dies at 78
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Aug. 25, 2010: In this photo, Jane Henson, left, donates some of Jim Henson's early puppets, including the original Kermit, to the Smithsonian Institution, during a ceremony at the National Museum of American History, in Washington. (AP)
The Jim Henson Co. says Henson's partner in marriage and Muppets has died.
The company says Jane Henson died Tuesday at her Connecticut home following a battle with cancer. She was 78.
She and Jim Henson met in a University of Maryland puppetry class in the mid-1950s, and they became creative and business partners in the development of the Muppets.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Hensons married in 1959 and had five children: Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John and Heather. The pair separated in 1986, and Jim Henson died in 1990.
In 1992, Jane Henson created and funded The Jim Henson Legacy to preserve his artistic contributions.
A memorial Mass is planned next week.