Janet C. (Jan) White was born on August 26, 1928 in Hackensack, NJ and died at Altoona UPMC on April 15, 2014. She was the daughter of the late Earl Catlett and Floy Wheeler Catlett. Jan was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William Catlett.
She attended Milligan College in Johnson City, TN and graduated with honors in 1950 with dual degrees in Biology and Music. She taught in the Hancock, MD public schools for 15 years and spoke her entire life of the joy she found in teaching young people and directing many outstanding choral groups. She was fortunate to have kept the friendship of so many of these former students; she loved them all and "never grew old" by enjoying their company and continuing to find friends both young and "young at heart".
In 1962, she married Russell White. They lived in Boalsburg, PA for the majority of their lives until his death in 2005. She was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ and one of the original "neighborhood moms" in Kaywood, forging many dear and enduring friendships thru both.
She worked as an administrative assistant at Penn State University in the College Of Business, Executive Programs, where she continued to grow her wide circle of friends.
She moved to Valley View Retirement Village in Belleville, PA and was grateful for the care, compassion, and companionship of so many lovely people in Big Valley and the surrounding area.
She loved music, art (especially folk art), and "life in general".
She is survived by a daughter, Meredith White of Pennsylvania Furnace, PA; a step-daughter-in-law Susan Sheetz and her husband Monte Sheetz of Yeagertown, PA; and all of her dear friends and acquaintances who she considered extended family.
If you wish to honor Jan, she requested that in lieu of flowers you hug those you love, keep in touch with family and friends, and donate your money and/or time to whatever charities you feel connected to.
A visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 26th at the Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral Home, 1034 Benner Pike, State College PA, with a memorial service officiated by Pastor Monica Ouellette from 2-3 p.m. Internment at the Boalsburg Cemetery, Boalsburg, PA will follow.
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at heintzelmanfuneralhome.com