Mary Aptt

Mary Jane Elliott Aptt passed away peacefully Saturday, December 1, 2018 in Milford, Delaware.

Jane was born on April 20, 1931 to Robert and Helen Matthews Elliott, in Seaford, DE, the fifth child of eight children. This is where her story began – where her love of family took root, where her work ethic originated, and where her selflessness came to bear and grew exponentially throughout her life.

Jane graduated from Bridgeville High School in 1949 and went on to marry the love of her life, Harold A. “Tom” Aptt at Fort Stewart, Georgia. As an Army bride, she moved from Georgia to Ft. Meade, MD, then briefly to Milford, DE before making Houston, DE home for more than sixty years, where together they raised their three daughters: Debbie, Susan, and Joan. They were lucky in love for over 65 years.

Jane was employed by the Milford School District for 20 years, both within the Guidance Department, at Milford Senior High School, and within Milford School District’s Central Office. After retirement, she also worked at Kauffman’s Furniture in Dover.

Jane lived an exemplar life full of love, selflessness, kindness, encouragement, and goodness – not just one day – but every day of her life. Family and friends were central to her life.   She believed in a simple life – a life filled with integrity, humility, respect, and love. She was fun-loving, recounted throughout her life, with enormous joy, by stories of her childhood. She was an exceptional mother and Nana. Wrong deeds were forgiven; laughter and song a must; love and kindness reigned supreme. She was a true example of how to live one’s life.  She was artistic; loved to draw, write, and play the piano.  She was grateful everyday of her life – and we are forever grateful to her – for all of her kindness, love, and life lessons which carry forward in all of us that were so blessed to share in her life.

She is predeceased by her husband, Tom, two sisters, Evelyn and Betty, and two brothers, Monroe and Jim. She is survived by her three daughters: Debbie Facciolo (Mike Hollins) of Earleville, MD; Susan Tebbens (Fred Maahs, Jr.) of Wilmington, DE, and Joan Faull (Jeff) of Newark, DE; six grandchildren: Jason Tebbens, Stephanie Facciolo O’Keefe, Matthew Tebbens, Alexander Facciolo, and Jill and Jacob Faull; and four great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers: Bob Elliott of Danville, CA, Tom Elliott (Sandra) of Tucson, AZ, and a sister, Joyce Abbott of Sun City, AZ, and two sisters-in-law, Terry Elliott of Tempe, AZ, and Louise Aptt of Harrington, DE, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Services will be private – reserved for family only.