Raetta Mae Jolivette Decker

Town of Greenville, NY

Raetta Mae Jolivette Decker, beloved wife of Harold Ray Decker, died on August 8, 2008 at Orange Regional Medical Center, Horton Campus, Middletown, with her family by her side. She was stricken by lung cancer on June 3, 2008 while vacationing at Cody, Wyoming.

Raetta was the third daughter born to Opal Bernice Frank and Raymond Jolivette on September 3, 1936 in Owen, WI, she was named for her father.

The family moved to Pine Bush, NY in 1940 where she received her public school education. After graduating from O.C.C.C. Raetta earned her Bachelor of Education and her Master of Education Degrees from Mount St. Mary College. Raetta was joined in marriage to Harold Ray Decker at Graham's United Presbyterian Church, Pine Bush, on April 15, 1956.

The couple became known as Ray and Raetta, They made their home in the Town of Greenville for the past 52 years. Mrs. Decker taught first and second grade at the Minisink Valley Central School from 1973 to 2000. She never met a child that could not learn and she never met a child that she did not love. After retirement from teaching, Raetta owned and operated The Three R'S, a retail store providing classroom supplies for educators.

She is survived by her husband at home, two sons, Bruce R. Decker and his wife, Rossana of Greenville, Robert E. Decker and his wife, Lisa Keller-Decker of Minisink; by her daughter, Marjorie R. Burt of Holly Springs, GA, and her husband, Jeffrey; her daughter-in-law, Kathleen Decker-Samuelian and her husband, John Samuelian of Cape Elizabeth, ME. She was predeceased by her son, Brian P. Decker who died as the result of an auto accident in 1984 at the age of 26. Mrs. Decker was also predeceased by her infant sister, Leatrice Jolivette.

She is survived by five grandchildren: Matthew Decker and his wife Jillian of Chester; Robert S. Decker of Greenville; Brian P. Decker II of South Portland, ME; Liane Burt and James Patrick Burt of Holly Springs, GA. Surviving sisters, Eveline Monell and her husband, William of Pine Bush, Darlene MacKinnon and her husband, Roderick of Middletown, Audrey Cone and her husband, Warren of Pine Bush and by her brother, Raymond Jolivette and his wife, Susan of Montgomery. Other survivors dear to her include her aunt, Ruth Vealey, and her uncle, Russell Vealey, of Walden, numerous cousins and many close friends.

Mrs. Decker was a member of the Pine Bush Golden Alumni Association, the O.C.C.C. Alumni Association and the Mount Saint Mary's Alumni Association. She was a 40 year member of the Orange County Archaeological Association. She was interested in local government and served as a Councilperson and as Chairman of the Planning Board for the Town of Greenville. Mrs. Decker was a member of the South Centerville Presbyterian Church for many years and served as Sunday School Superintendent as well as trustee of that church. When the edifice was sold to Faith Reformed Church, she became a member there and served as Secretary to the Board of Trustees. Her passion for saving the rain forests led her to the jungles of Costa Rica where she experienced white water rafting on the Rio Frio, bathing in hot volcanic mud and visiting local schools. She enjoyed cruising the Baltic Sea, the islands of the Aegean Sea and Alaska's inside passage. From the Southwest to Hawaii and Alaska, she experienced America. Her favorite domestic vacation destination for over 30 years was Las Vegas. Her last trip, to Yellowstone, was interrupted by her sudden illness. Joining her entire family in Hawaii in 2006 for a celebration of her 50th year of marriage was her most cherished travel memory.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the compassionate care given by the nurses at Arden Hill & Horton Hospital Critical Care Units.

Friends may call at the Cornelius, Dodd and Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown, NY (845-343-2142), today, Monday, August 11, from 4 to 7 p.m.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 12, at Faith Reformed Church, South Centerville, NY, with the Rev. Dr. Albert Potgieter officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Reformed Church Sunday School, PO Box 454, Slate Hill, NY 10973.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, Inc. For directions or to send condolences, please visit www.connellfuneralhome.com.