Eva Jane Sands

It is with great sadness that we announce our beloved mother, Eva Jane Selbe Sands, passed away peacefully on February 10, 2024. She was surrounded by her loving children and grandchildren in her final days.

Eva was born on July 27, 1931 in Charleston, West Virginia and grew up with siblings Robert, Lillian, and Margaret. She graduated from Charleston High in 1949. She then attended and graduated from McMullan Hospital School of Nursing as an RN. While she loved helping all, she had a passion for labor and delivery. After her children were older, Eva attended a refresher course at the University of DE and became a charge nurse at Foulk Manor North.

Eva married David Sands in 1954 and they raised four children together. His work with DuPont took them to Texas, West Virginia, and finally Delaware, where they made a permanent home. Eva and Dave were devoted challenge-level square dancers and spent many years dancing together. They enjoyed dressing the part, and Eva made sure that their square dance outfits were always coordinated and perfect.

Eva had a quick wit and unique sense of humor that lives on in her children & grandchildren. Being the family word-slinger, she had a love of word games, crossword puzzles, and anagrams. That too, she passed to the entire family. Eva had a curious nature and was always game for trying something new.  She conquered her fear of water and learned to swim later in life. Eva's artistic side bloomed as well, and she became a phenomenal hand-stamper and card maker, taking and teaching many classes at Sellers Senior Center and attending numerous stamp camps and conventions. Some of her work was featured in a popular card-making magazine. Her family has saved and treasures hundreds of creative and beautiful "Hand-Stamped by Eva" cards that she sent for all occasions. All of her grandchildren have special memories of time spent with Grandma in her craft room.

Eva is survived by her four children,  Charles (Leslie), Gary (Rina), Sally, and Timothy (Diana), five grandchildren, Danya, Stephanie (Pete), Ayyub, Erin, and Nora, and three great grandchildren Sofia, Finnley and Olive. She was predeceased by her husband, David.

Eva was a body donor for Hofstra University-Zucker School of Medicine, and we will await her ashes for a memorial. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America or the Alzheimer's Association.

Eva's vivacious and loving spirit will be missed by many. She lived a wonderful life surrounded by people who adored her.