Mary Rose Decker

Born June 22, 1930, to Stuart Compton and Jean Robertson in Bloomfield, New Jersey during the Depression, Mary began what would be a life committed to community and family. As a young woman, Mary was a natural athlete. She was a member of the Senior Gym Team, Co-Captain of the Archery Team, Military drill, and Girl Reserves (a YWCA club program that fostered patriotic war work). Mary was also a gifted writer, like her father Stuart, and was a feature editor of the Student Newspaper.

Continuing her education, Mary received a Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 1952 and a Master’s degree in education from Jersey City University mid-career.

Returning to her home in New Jersey, after completing college, Mary began her 25-year career in education in 1952 as a substitute teacher at Rockaway High School. As an educator and as a mother, Mary was always active in the school system including bravely volunteering to chaperone many school dances, assisting with Ski Club, and coaching Cheerleading. Mary returned to her love of teaching after raising her three children. Upon her return, she worked at Sparta Junior High School for the rest of her career before retiring in 1993. Her time in education touched many lives and provided life-long friends.

In conjunction with and well after teaching, Mary was extremely active in the local community. She was a member of the quilting circle, knitting club, bridge club, square dancing, the President of the local Teacher’s Union, Secretary of the Lake Saginaw Beach Club, an active partitioner of the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, a volunteer at the Newton Memorial Hospital, and a member of the Sparta Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary.

In her free time, Mary enjoyed traveling with her husband of 53 years, Paul Decker, throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, as well as throughout the US and Canada, including a heli-hiking trip to Alaska, and tanning on the beaches of Hawaii. Mary was also an avid reader, broadway enthusiast, golfer, and tennis player later in life.

Mary is survived by her son John Decker and his wife Deborah of Chickamauga, Georgia, her daughter Julia Decker of Plantation, Florida, and her son Patrick Decker and his wife Kathleen of Venice, Florida. She is also survived by grandson Patrick Decker and his wife Julie, grandson Eric Buckley, and her granddaughter Nicole Dusz and her husband Robert. Mary was also blessed with a great-granddaughter Willow Sierra Decker, shortly before her passing. Mary was loved and cherished by all of her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews as well as great-great nieces and nephews.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend visitation on July 30, 2023, from 4 pm to 8 pm at the Goble Funeral Home, 22 Main Street, Sparta New Jersey. A funeral service will be held to celebrate Mary’s life on Monday, July 31, 2023, at 11 am at the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be to the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, New Jersey. 32 Main Street, Sparta, NJ 07871, or a Foundation supporting the research and treatment of Parkinson’s Disease of your choice.