Born in Newton, Nancy was a lifelong resident of Newton. She was a 1956 graduate of Newton High School, where she was Class Secretary and a Varsity Cheerleader. Nancy was a former secretary for the late Judge James Barry. A member of Christ Episcopal Church in Newton, Nancy was very active in the community. She was a volunteer for the Newton Medical Center Auxiliary for over 45 years, participated in all Auxiliary activities, and was one of the founders of the Bee Hive. She also volunteered as a Den Mother, was a member of Broadway Bound, a member of Red Hat Society, and was a member of Newton Women’s Club. Nancy was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling with her husband.
The daughter of the late Edward and Mae (Fox) Lawson, Nancy was also predeceased by seven siblings, Eunice, Edrie, Ann, Doris, Dolores, Ruth and Eddie. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, William R. “Buck” Decker, whom she married on February 7, 1959, a day which was the best decision Buck and Nancy ever made. She is also survived by her two sons, Bob Decker of Newton and Chris Decker and wife, Diane, of Milford, Pennsylvania; as well as her four grandchildren, Christopher Decker of Milford, Pennsylvania, Sarah Decker of Newton, Allison Decker of Milford, Pennsylvania, and Billy Decker of Newton; and her two brothers, Alvin Lawson and wife, Pam, of Windsor, Vermont, and Jack Lawson and wife, Dale, of West Palm Beach, Florida. The family thanks Barbara Gould for her loving care of Nancy.
Visitation will be held on Friday, April 2, 2021, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 3, 2021, also at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Newton Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 23 Vreeland Road, #105, Florham Park, NJ 07932 or Newton Medical Center Foundation, 175 High Street, Newton, NJ 07860.
