IN MEMORIAM:  Janet Owens White, 77;

Helpmate To Husband, Revered CCS Coach

COOPERSTOWN – Janet O. White, 77, of Cooperstown, helpmate to her husband, Dick, during the many years he coached the CCS varsity basketball team, died following a brief illness Monday night, June 4, 2018, at Albany Medical Center.

She was born Janet Linquist Owens on Sept. 1, 1940, in Plainfield, N.J., a daughter of E. Alder and Dorothy (Conway) Owens.

After graduating from Jonathan Dayton High School in Springfield, N.J., Janet attended Paul Smith’s College in the Adirondacks, where she studied hotel management and was a cheerleader. It was during her time at Paul Smith’s that she met Richard A. White, and they were married on Sept. 10, 1960, in Mountainside, N.J.

In 1960, the Whites moved to Oneonta where Richard attended SUNY Oneonta, after which he began teaching in Cooperstown. When Richard received a NSF grant in 1965, the Whites moved to Oregon where Richard completed a second master’s degree. They returned East the following year, where Richard continued his teaching career at Cooperstown Central School, later serving as the Mathematics Department chair and Boys Varsity Basketball coach.

Janet’s true passions were being a devoted mother to her children and being extremely supportive of Richard in all his scholastic and athletic endeavors, which often included team laundry and hot meals after practice. The annual Dick White Basketball Tournament during Christmas breaks was named in his honor.

Richard and Janet enjoyed 47 years of marriage until his untimely death from cancer on Oct. 9, 2007.

Over the years, Janet enjoyed antiquing, listening to country music, playing Bridge with friends, and golfing. She especially loved dancing and collecting any dish or cup with a Dogwood flower on it.  For the past 20 years she enjoyed spending winters in Juno Beach, Fla.

Janet is survived by a son, David Richard White and his wife Carol of Florence, S.C.; a daughter, Amy Elizabeth Paruleski and her husband Nickolas of San Diego, Calif.; and a son, Jonathan Michael White and his wife Kim of Chapel Hill, N.C.; five grandchildren, Emily and Sydney White, and Landon, Janet and Christopher Paruleski; a sister, Elizabeth Snyder and her husband, Ken of California; a sister-in-law, Ruth Ferrari of Vestal; and several nieces and nephews.

She is further survived by her dance partner, travelling companion and dear and loving friend, Arnie Jungkind of Springfield.

In addition to her husband, Janet was predeceased by an infant son, Kevin Owens White; a brother, David Alder Owens, and a half-sister, Barbara Owens.

A memorial service will be offered at 11 a.m. Monday, June 11, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cooperstown, with the Rev. Elsie A. Rhodes, pastor,  officiating. Immediately following the service, Janet’s family will receive friends in the adjoining Chapel for a time of refreshment and fellowship.

Interment will be in Lakewood Cemetery, Cooperstown, at a later date.

Janet’s family requests that any contributions in her name should be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.