Sally Anna Decker

Sally Anna Decker, 82, died peacefully with her husband at her side at Duke Hospital in Durham, North Carolina on June 10, 2023.

Sally was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was born March 12, 1941, in Providence, Rhode Island and graduated from Sandy Springs High School in Sandy Springs, Georgia in 1959. She attended Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania prior to beginning work in her chosen career as an airline stewardess. She was awarded her Gold Wings after working for American Airlines for 11 years. She developed a lasting passion for travel.

She and her husband-to-be David met on a blind date in San Francisco and married in Carmel, California on November 28, 1969. She moved several times in support of David’s career including to Reno, Nevada; Pleasant Hills, California; Thousand Oaks, California; El Paso, Texas; Dallas, Texas; and Durham, North Carolina. She formed many lifelong friendships wherever she lived as she loved to meet new people and to socialize.

Sally was active in several community organizations including Welcome Wagon and Newcomers and also founded a Canasta Club. She liked to both play and watch sports, including golf, ice skating, and tennis. She also enjoyed gardening and sewing. She was an accomplished cook and loved to entertain friends, family, and neighbors. She was devoted to her family who will greatly miss her.

Sally is survived by her husband, David John Decker of Durham, North Carolina, her son Jake Decker and wife Loriana Morris of Boerne, Texas and their children who knew her as Nana: Jocelyn, Wesley, Gabriel, and Naomi. Siblings include Nancy Liner and husband, Blaine of Williamsburg, Virginia, Peggy Smith of Dublin, Ohio, and

Bradford P. Hall and wife RaeAnn of Akron, Ohio. Survivors also include nieces and nephews.

Sally was preceded in death by her parents Joseph Olney Jr. of Providence, Rhode Island, and Barbara Macurda Hall and stepfather Ransom Hall of Sanford, North Carolina.

She will be dearly missed by all who loved her and whose lives she touched with her love.

If desired, contributions in Sally's memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation.