Frances Decker

Frances Edith Decker

March 11, 1920 - February 26, 2012

Frances Edith (Maynard) Decker (91) of Sun City West, Arizona was born March 11, 1920 in Rochester, New York to Franklin H. Maynard and Mary (Cook) Maynard. She died peacefully at her eldest son's home in Oregon on February 26, 2012.

One of six children she graduated from Madison High School in Rochester, NY.

She married Rawleigh Glenn Decker. They had two children, Ronald Glenn Decker and Gordon Leigh Decker. In Rochester, NY, she was active in civic groups including President of the Kodak Camera Club, lead member in the Eastern Theater drive and Community Chest. She was an active member of the Dutch Reform Church of Rochester, NY and helped form the Perinton Community Church in Fairport, NY. She worked as an Executive Secretary for Eastman Kodak Company for 34 years until her retirement in 1978.

In 1979, Rawleigh and Frances moved to Sun City West, Arizona. She was active in many organizations: President of the Pioneers’ Club, President of the Organ and Keyboard Club, Westernaires, and the Camera Club. She was also the founder of the Sunshine Serenaders, a nonprofit musical review company, which performed over 300 concerts at nursing homes, dinners, talent shows and many charitable functions. Frances’ gift of music, playing the piano by ear, made her in demand for many functions.

She was a charter member of the Christian Women's Club where she served as the historian, taking hundreds of pictures and putting them together in many albums of good memories.

Frances belonged to First Baptist Church of Sun City West, and was a member of the bible study group at Sun City West Christian Church.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents and by her brothers, Randolf Maynard and Edward Maynard, her sisters Helen Anas, Mildred Maynard, and Eleanor Maynard; and by her husband of more than 50 years Rawleigh Decker.

She is survived by her two sons and their wives, Randolph and Jackie Decker (Oregon) and Gordon and Diane Haskell Decker (Sun City West); grandchildren, Leigh Byerlee, Valerie Lindemuth, Lance Decker, Jennifer Wade, Jessica Marker and Rebecca Haskell; and great grandchildren, Alyssa Lindemuth, Erik Lindemuth, Kyle Lindemuth, Benjamin Byerlee and great great-grandchild Samuel Linemuth.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made in Frances Decker's honor to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ or to the First Baptist Church, Sun City West, 17419 N. Conquistador Drive, Sun City West, AZ.

Visitation will be held Friday March 2, 2012 from 2pm to 6pm at Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 Del Webb Blvd, Sun City, AZ. On Saturday March 3, 212 there will be a Viewing at 12:30pm and a Celebration at 1:00pm held at First Baptist Church of Sun City West, 17419 N. Conquistador Drive, Sun City West, AZ.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunland Memorial Park, Mortuary & Cremation Center, Sun City, AZ.623-933-0161