Jane M. White

Jane (Monroe) White, 92, of Southington, passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on June 4, 2025. She was the loving wife of the late Robert L. White who predeceased her in 1984.

Jane was born on August 15, 1932 in Pittsburgh, PA to the late Lowell and Ruth (LeDuc) Monroe. Jane grew up in Shaker Heights, OH, and attended art classes at The Cleveland Museum of Art. Jane developed a love of New England during her education at the Mary Burnham School in Greenfield, MA and Endicott College in Beverly, MA. Having earned her degree in Commercial Art, she began a successful career in advertising with the May Co. in Cleveland, OH. That career was soon on hiatus when she met and married Bob in 1955. They immediately began raising a family of 5 children in Palatine, IL. In 1969 Jane and Bob relocated their family to New England, building a home in Southington, CT where Jane would spend the remainder of her years. She became fully active in all her children’s activities, but also managed to indulge her wide array of interests in cooking, gardening, sewing, and a variety of crafts and artistic endeavors.

Suddenly faced with widowhood at only 51 years old, Jane overcame her grief by summoning all her resilience and talents to embark on her second career as a very successful fine artist. She developed her painting skills, particularly in watercolors and pastels, while attending classes at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts. Jane spent countless hours producing beautiful landscapes of scenes throughout New England while also encouraging fellow artists to show their work at one of the galleries she ran up until 2020 when the pandemic forced gallery closure. Jane exhibited her work throughout CT and received numerous professional awards and accolades right through the last year of her life. Jane took great pride in her considerable commercial success selling her landscapes, home portraits, original note cards, and other artwork throughout New England. These accomplishments never prevented Jane from being a full participant in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, all of whom were always her priority and shared great pride in her talent.

Jane is survived by five children: Kathy Barry and husband Jack of Bridgewater, NH; Debbie Reed and Paul Johnson of Harwinton, CT; Maggie White of Bristol, CT; Tricia McMahon and husband Kevin of Westwood, MA; and Tom White of Pensacola, FL; 10 grandchildren: John (Lexi), Brian (Katie), Conor, Emma, Tim, Katie (Bill), Molly, Sarah, Lily, and Bridget; and 4 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Deborah Monroe of Concord, NH and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Bob, Jane was predeceased by her son-in-law, Seth Reed, grandson, Christopher Reed, and her brother, Bill Monroe.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jane’s memory may be made to Southington Community Cultural Arts (SoCCA), 93 Main Street, Southington, CT 06489; website www.southingtonarts.org.

A memorial service will be celebrated Tuesday, June 10, at 12 noon at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 10-12. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.