Published in the July 15, 2016 edition
AMHERST — Nancy E. (Phillips) Decker, a longtime resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 2 at Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst.
Nancy moved to Melrose in 1957 with her parents, the late George A. and Elizabeth G. Phillips, where she met Melrose native, the late Tracy Decker. The couple was married on July 1, 1961, and have called Melrose home ever since. Nancy was a devoted wife and mother, first and foremost, and gave tirelessly of herself to her family and friends.
During the nearly 60 years she lived in Melrose, she supported several community organizations including the Jaycees, the Melrose Rotary Club, Melrose High School Choral Boosters and First Congregational Church’s Circle 4. A passionate supporter of literacy, Nancy volunteered at the Roosevelt School and helped students learn how to read for several years. Later in life from 2005 until 2014, she co-owned Wool Basket Yarns in Duxbury with her daughter and “loved every minute of it.”
Nancy centered her life around her family. She was a source of unending support for her husband and daughter, and a considerate voice of reason for all family and friends. She cherished holidays spent with family and especially looked forward to family events in East Sandwich at her parent’s home. Nancy’s family will forever treasure her thoughtful kindness and her presence will be missed by all those whose lives she touched.
Nancy will be remembered as the beloved wife of the late Tracy W. Decker, with whom she shared 37 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Elizabeth A. Decker of Florence. She was the dear sister of George A. Phillips Jr. and his wife June of Bradenton, Fla. and sister-in-law of Doris M. Decker of Peabody. She was the caring aunt of Michael, Julie, Libby and Mack Phillips; Amara, Gemma and Layne Kennett; Debbie, Tom, Michael and Mandy Obremski; Danielle and David Bresnihan; Diane, Alyssa and Traci Gendron; Erik and Gavin Fields; Patti, Phil, Jacqui, Jenna, Jordan and Janelle Richard; and Larry, Sylvie, Erik, Evan, Jason, Ronny and Ricky Decker.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Nancy’s life during visiting hours at the Robinson Funeral Home, 809 Main St., Melrose on Wednesday, July 13, followed by her Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the charities that meant the most to Nancy: Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St., Amherst MA 01002; the Melrose Humane Society, P.O. Box 760668, Melrose MA 02176, or PittieLove Rescue, Inc., PO Box 3532, Framingham MA 01705. For online tribute, visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
