Susan Carol Decker

Born on May 17,1944, in Denver, Colorado, Susan was the oldest child of Charles Avery Briggs and Shirley Elizabeth Voigt. At age ten, after the divorce of her parents, Shirley married Alex McCoy of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Two more siblings were added when Alice Lewise and Alexander Watts were born. They moved to Tulsa where she lived until her high school years. She attended a Catholic Academy for Girls in Kenosha, Wisconsin and loved her experience there. After high school she attended the University of Oklahoma.

Susan, a free spirit and lover of adventure lived for several years in Mexico and traveled choosing life as it came. Eventually, she found the love of her life...Richard "Dick" Decker!

For the last 40-plus years, Susan and Dick called the East Valley of Arizona home, moving through Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler and Gilbert. Although they did move several times, they often joked their moves where just re-zoning! Together Dick and Susan hand-built their own home on a couple of acres in south Gilbert. This home became the legendary heart of the family's annual Thanksgiving tradition. Generations of siblings, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends gathered there for not only the traditional food and football, but also tractor rides, four-wheelers, shooting range and ending with a final sit around a camp-fire roasting s'mores. These two great hosts opened their hearts and their home with memories and love and full tummies!

Susan was a remarkably talented artist and craftsman. Her creativity knew no bounds, spanning sewing, painting, custom cards, tole work, children's clothing and everything in between. For years, she shared her beautiful talents at local craft markets. She had her own small business called "A LITTLE BEHIND CRAFTS" and a children's clothing boutique called "Josie's Corner" (named after a niece). Giving was Susan's true love language; she consistently gave away far more than she sold.

Her immense heart extended to animals as well. Her beloved rescue German Shepherd, Annie', found safety and fierce devotion in Susan and Dick's care and she now rests in their backyard. She later poured her love into 'Jada', a Labradoodle. Most recently they adopted two sister dogs who had spent their entire nine years from birth in an animal shelter. Of course, they took them to a new home of pure love and comfort.

Susan was an avid football fan, fiercely loyal to her roots as a Denver Broncos fan, but her true love was the Oklahoma 'Sooners'-a loyal fan to the end- her final resting attire!

Also, a devout news junky, where at any given time the TV was on you could be sure it was a news station. She loved knowing what was happening in the world and was known for her political views which she often displayed on the T-shirts she wore with pride and humor.

Above all else, Susan's passion was her devotion to Heavenly Father and her family. She was always grateful for her blessings throughout her life. She adored her nieces and nephews and their family's, her siblings and friends. But most of all, Dick, who she felt was her greatest find and treasure. She will be sorely missed, a treasured gift to us and is beloved by all who knew her. We love you…..more!