Barbara A. Decker

Barbara Adelle (Conner) Decker, 87, peacefully passed from this life on January 27, 2024 at MacKenzie Place with her family by her side. Barbara endured a courageous journey with Alzheimer's for several years. Through this journey, she remained happy and thankful for those who provided loving care to her at MacKenzie Place, and never forgot to say “I love you” to her family members and caregivers.

Barbara was born January 14, 1937, in Guilford, Maine to the late Everett Howard Conner and Minnie (Buzzell) Conner. Barbara graduated from Foxcroft Academy (Dover-Foxcroft, Maine) in 1956. On June 24, 1956, Barbara married the love of her life, Derry William Decker, a career soldier with three tours in Vietnam.

After her marriage she began her life as a military wife, eventually leaving her hometown of Dover-Foxcroft and making many moves following her husband’s orders from the United States Army. Barbara started her career as a Nurse’s Aide at Mayo Memorial Hospital, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine. Finding her true passion with patient care, in 1966 (while Derry was in Vietnam) she enrolled in nursing school in Waterville, Maine and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Barbara continued her career with working in hospitals in Waterville, Maine, Salt Lake City, Utah, Walla Walla, Washington, Bayshore (Long Island), New York, and St. Mary-Corwin, Pueblo, Colorado, where she retired after 30 years of employment. While in Pueblo, she enrolled at Pueblo Community College and graduated with an associate degree as a Registered Nurse. In total, Barbara spent 50 years of her life working as a nurse. Although Barbara was not able to remember many parts of her life, she continued to know and would tell people “I am a nurse”.

Barbara treasured and loved her family dearly. She made a point to gather her family together every Sunday for dinner; it was like Thanksgiving every Sunday. Her talents were singing, cooking, sewing, gardening, and crocheting. Barbara crocheted gifts for many people and organizations. She was known for the many afghans she crocheted for both family and friends. If you knew Barbara, you probably have one her beautiful afghans. Barbara also took great pride in her garden of flowers. She would often say, “I love flowers just like my Grammie Buzzell” (her grandmother). Barbara’s beautiful gardens were evidence of her gift of a “green thumb”.

Barbara’s legacy will live on through her family. Barbara is survived by her daughter, Tonya (Andrew) McLachlan; son Timothy Decker; granddaughters, Kristin Kummer (Joe Pope); Katie (Shane) Fletcher; and Kelsey (Stoney) Brown; great grandchildren, Ellie, Emry, Alyvia, Ian, Ava, and Eli; brothers, Omar Conner and Riley Conner, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 51 years Derry W. Decker, her brothers, John Conner, Richard Conner, and her sister, Beatrice Brashear.

Barbara’s family would like to express many thanks to the staff at MacKenzie Place memory center. All of them loved Barbara, and she knew that. Barbara would look around and tell her daughter, “I love my home with all these nice people”. She enjoyed the activities, especially when they would go to the piano room, and she could sing her heart out. She remembered every word of many songs and often she was “leading the choir”.

Barbara’s life will be celebrated at Imperial Funeral Home with a visitation service on February 9, 2024 at 2:00pm -6:00pm and funeral service will be on February 10, 2024 at 10:00am. Barbara will join her husband with Interment in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.