Jane Henson Of The Muppet Family Dies At 78

Jane met Jim Henson in puppetry class at the University of Maryland in 1954. The couple created the original muppets, who made their first appearance on the Henson's show "Sam and Friends."

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Jane Henson with Jim Henson and the cast of "Sam and Friends" in 1960.

The couple were married in 1959 and had five children Lisa, Cheryl, Brian, John, and Heather together. Jane remained involved with the Jim Henson Company as it grew and served on the board of the Jim Henson Foundation.

The couple legally separated in 1986. In 1990, Jim Henson passed away and in 1992 she founded the Jim Henson Legacy to preserve his artistic contributions. Jane Henson died Tuesday at her Connecticut home following a battle with cancer.

[Source AP and Variety.]

Jacquelyn Martin / AP

Jane Henson makes some final touches before donating 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, on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2010.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Jane Henson with her Muppet family.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

The original Kermit the Frog, which was made from one of Jim Henson's mother's coats, is part of a collection donated to the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Kermit in 1961: