Jill Cuileann Whitney, 71, of Avon-By-The-Sea, passed away at her home on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

Mrs. Whitney was born and raised in Morristown. She was a longtime resident of Morris Plains before moving to Avon-By-The-Sea in 2001. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Mills College of Education, New York. She began her career as a teacher at Harding Twp. Elementary School and also taught at Morris Plains Country Day School and Y’s Owl Day Care in Morristown. In addition, she taught piano lessons for many years. She then owned and operated Looking Glass Day Nursery School in Morris Plains. She then worked as a Senior Word Processor for Reliance Insurance Co., of Parsippany, before retiring in 2000. Mrs. Whitney was an avid genealogist, reader, gardener, artist, piano player and doll collector, and the beloved “RaRa” to her three beautiful grandchildren. Her trailblazing, loving, caring, supportive and positive soul touched all those she came in contact with.

Mrs. Whitney was predeceased by her parents, William R. and Myrtle C. (Bedford) Manser III. She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, James T. Whitney. She is also survived by her son, James R. Whitney, of Springfield, N.J., and her daughter and son-in-law, Jenna Leigh and Matt Parish, of Lebanon Township, N.J., and her grandchildren, William Harrison, Sophie Catherine and Henry Theodore Parish. Also surviving is her brother, William Robert Manser IV, of Harding Twp., N.J.

Services were private.