Jane Henson, widow of Muppets' Jim Henson, dies at 78

LOS ANGELES -- 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.

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, Mrs. Henson created and funded The Jim Henson Legacy to preserve his artistic contributions.

A memorial Mass for Jane Henson is planned for next week.

-- AP