Ilonka Decenck

Ilonka (Nana) Decenck

Mar. 8, 1921 - Nov. 5, 2003

Our beloved Nana joined Jesus and her Maria on November 5, 2003. She passed from our midst with her grace and dignity in tact. Nana's sojourn began in Hungary on March 8, 1921. She braved the ravages of war as a young single mother when she, along with her young daughter, Lili, escaped Germany during the bombings. After a stay in Canada, they were admitted into the United States and settled in Detroit. While in Detroit, Nana married and gave birth to two beautiful daughters, Sandy and Linda. When the chance presented itself, she migrated west and settled in Santa Monica, CA. She single-handedly raised her family and worked with Bank of America for 30 years until her retirement. She lived in California until 1998 when she came to Everett in order to be closer to her family. Nana has touched so many people with her love and kindness that her spirit will be revered long into the future by those of us blessed enough to know her. She was the matriarch of our family and through her unselfishness and incredible work ethic, she educated us all on what life is really about. Our family was blessed in the fact that we were able to send her off in person and witness first hand her ascent into Heaven where she will be forever happy and without pain.
Nana is survived by he daughter, Lili (Richie) Hagmann, daughter, Sandy (Mark) O'Brien, daughter, Linda (Richard) Geiger. Grandchildren; Derek Hagmann, Kristin (Kevin) Lewand, Ashley (Joe) Gaffney, Tiffany, Mallory and Kelsey O'Brien, Corinne and Stephanie Geiger, and last but not least, her great-grandson, Keegan Michael Gaffney.
Nana, we will miss you tremendously and want you to know that we will celebrate your life at all clan gatherings. This shall be done from now until the time we once again are able to linger in the warmth of your embrace.