Elizabeth Jane Brooks, 74, of Delmar, died Sunday, July 1, 2012 at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury. She was born July 20, 1937 in Amityville, New York, a daughter of the late William and Clarice Shipman Ward. Jane, as she was fondly known to her family and friends, graduated from Seaford Sr. High School with the class of 1956. She loved children and was the founder of the Lil Red Hen Nursery School in Delmar, from where she retired in 1999. She was a true caregiver to many throughout her life. She loved her garden and the many hours spent in it talking with the Lord. She attended Bay Shore Community Church in Gumboro. She is survived by 4 children, Carol Hill and husband Jim, Jeff Martin and wife Cheryl, Greg Martin and Melissa Malone and husband Richard; grandchildren, Alison, Freddy, Molly, Courtney, Tanner, Ryan and Jaimie; great grandchildren, Isabella and Aiden; brothers and sisters, William Ward, Jr and wife Pat, Carroll McKnatt and husband Donald, Robert Ward and Julia Novack and husband Ed; step-children, Brad Brooks, Glen Brooks, Barry Brooks, Chris Miller and husband Steve, Kaye Anstreicher and husband Chris and Gale Hoffman and a son-in-law, Dick Scott; and her former husband and father of her children, Donald Martin. She is also survived by many step grandchildren and great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husbands, Frank Bonsall and Harold Brooks; a step daughter, Joan Scott; and 2 brothers, Henry (Chap) Ward and Russell (Ted) Ward. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Bay Shore Community Church in Gumboro. Pastor Danny Tice will officiate. Interment will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery in Seaford. Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.