Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Weltner Canine

Elizabeth Jane Weltner Canine [BJ] died peacefully on Monday, October 9, 2017 at Addington Place in Johns Creek, Georgia. She was born to the late William H. Weltner and Rachel Atwood Weltner in Hartford, Connecticut on May 14, 1926.

BJ graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford, Connecticut in 1944. She continued her education at LaSalle Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts for two years and St. Joseph's College in Hartford, Connecticut where she earned her Bachelor's Degree. Upon graduation she taught Kindergarten in Hartford.

In 1951, BJ joined Army Special Services and was stationed in Germany. It was there where she met Lieutenant Ralph J. Canine, Jr. and they were subsequently married in Schweinfurt, Germany on March 7, 1953. Her husband predeceased her in 2002.

BJ was a devoted mother and Army wife, stationed with her husband and boys in Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Canton, New York; Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and McLean, Virginia. After her husband's military retirement in 1969, she moved to Richmond, Virginia for 3 years. In 1973, she and her husband moved to Spring Valley in Columbia where she resided for 43 years. Along her destinations she made many friends in both her military and private life.

BJ was a member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, a longtime member of Spring Valley Country Club and the Spring Valley Ladies Golf Association. She also belonged to Wildwood Country Club and played golf regularly at Fort Jackson. She was a two term President of the Dogwood Garden Club and was always an avid gardener who loved making flower arrangements. BJ was an antique lover, gourmet cook and world traveler. Her condo at Litchfield Beach was her favorite place away from Columbia. She also became an avid Gamecock fan as a result of her husband [who also worked in the USC Development Office], two sons, two daughters-in-law and two grandchildren all being USC graduates.

BJ is survived by her son, William Canine and wife, Terri of Alpharetta, Georgia and their son, Matthew and wife, Kristin Canine of Sandy Springs, Georgia; her son, Rev. David Canine and wife, Paula of Pawley's Island, South Carolina and their daughter, Rev. Dr. Laura Canine of Simpsonville, South Carolina and son, Jack and wife, Kristen Canine of Coppell, Texas; and two nieces and two nephews, including Paul Gills of Essex, Connecticut.

In addition to her parents and husband, BJ was pre-deceased by her sister, Lois Gills and grandson, Stephen Weltner Canine.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Monday, October 23, 2017 at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the USO [www.uso.org] or a charity of your choice. Burial Service will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery.