Jane Connell King, 86, of Bethlehem, died at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest Aug. 9, 2025. She was the wife of the late Jerry King.

She grew up in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

She received a music scholarship to the University of Kentucky where she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics. At college, she learned “Machine Language” and FORTRAN, served as concertmaster of the University Symphony and was president of the Chi Omega chapter.

She was a mathematics professor, and taught mathematics at Cedar Crest College, Lehigh University, Lafayette College, Moravian College, and Moravian Preparatory School for more than three decades. At Cedar Crest, she launched and led a college-wide internship program connecting liberal arts students with local businesses and industries.

She studied violin in school By graduation, she was valedictorian, concertmaster of both the Kentucky All-State and Central Kentucky Youth Symphony Orchestras. She later studied with Sidney Harth, future concertmaster of the New York Philharmonic.

She was a longtime musician performing for decades with the Allentown Symphony, Pennsylvania Sinfonia, local orchestras and at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Royal Albert Hall in London.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth and husband William Baker of New Milford, Connecticut; a son, David and wife Robin King of Philadelphia; two grandchildren, Ryan King and Michelle and husband Austin Piro; and a brother, Charles “Skip” Edward Connell.

She was predeceased by a brother, George William Connell.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Allentown Symphony Association, Attn: Development, 23 N. Sixth Street, Allentown, or to the Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra, 1524 W. Linden St., Allentown.

Arrangements were made by Cantelmi Long Funeral Home Inc., Bethlehem.