Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Geraldine Helen Decker

Geraldine Decker Obituary

March 11, 1931 - June 14, 2013
Geraldine H Decker, born Geraldine H Rice in The Bronx, New York, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, star of stage and screen, educator and voice teacher, died on Friday, June 14, 2013 after a long battle with diabetes and resulting complications. She was 82. Decker attended Corvallis High School, a Catholic girls high school, located in Studio City from 1945 to 1949. Her high school yearbooks extolled her heavenly voice as she participated in choir and drama programs. Her singing and acting career began at age 40 after her boys were grown and out of the house. As an alto-contralto opera singer, Decker's range of voice opened many doors for her and allowed her interesting and significant roles from Mother Superior in Sound of Music to Erda (Earth Mother) in Wagner's Ring Cycle, and the Wicked Witch in Hansel and Gretel. She delighted her fans coast to coast as she performed various projects, most notably Disney Pictures, Cabrillo Music Theatre, Ventura County Symphony, California Lutheran College, Guild Opera Company, LA Civic Light Opera, Long Beach Opera, Seattle Opera, Chicago Lyric Opera, Opera San Jose, New York Metropolitan Opera and Carnegie Hall. She also performed several projects in Europe. Decker taught voice to students of all ages and also taught at Pepperdine University in Malibu for several years. She lived in the Oxnard area for over 50 years. Her final live performance was held at Evergreen Assisted Living, San Jose, CA in 2010. Geraldine was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Howard and is survived by her two sons, Wayne and Dirk, their wives Lana and Judy, grandchildren Brandon, Kati, Alex and great grandson Erik.
Memorial services will be held in Oxnard, CA 93033 on Saturday, July 20, 2013 at 2pm. RSVP with Attend in Subject Line to [email protected] if you plan to attend and you will be emailed location. Peruse photos and leave comments at http://www.koolsitez.com/gerrid. In lieu of flowers, make donations in memory of Geraldine Decker to the American Diabetes Association (https://donations.diabetes.org)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jul. 7, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Geraldine Decker

16 Entries

Tory Clark

September 23, 2023

I miss Gerrie frequently. I worked with her at the Seattle Opera on the Ring of the Nibelung over the course of five years. I first started there as a production assistant, and ended up as assistant stage manager. She was the one of the first people there to be truly kind to me. It was my first rehearsal of a scene with the Valkyrie in the hanger at Sandpoint on the set piece we called the Valkyrie rock. The Walkuren were magnificent.... And Gerrie was one of them. She took me under her wing that first season and was unfailingly kind to me. I had heard her sing before in the role of Erde and got to hear her sing as a Walkure, and as Erde many times more in both rehearsal and performance. Gerrie was a kind, talented lovely person, with an unfailing zest for life. I am thankful for the difference she made in my life. And thankful for the time I got to spend with her making magic at the Opera!

John Foster, S.J.

August 4, 2013

Gerri Decker taught with an energy and dedication that I have seen in few others, putting herself out for them even when she should have gotten the rest and recuperation that she herself needed.

A mass of personal contradictions, she sang with fire or laughter, as the situation needed, with a love of life on and off stage, that many could envy.

John F. Foster, S.J.
Matteo Ricci College at
Seattle University

Michelle Finnegan-Nixon

July 20, 2013

Oh boy, I am going to miss her so much. I did not know where she went after Oxnard and I had been looking for her. She was the best. Geri was my voice teacher and gave so much love to me during our sessions together. I have so many fond memories of her. She was simply the best and I feel so blessed to have had the time with her that I had. Rest in peace sweet lady. To the family god bless you. There is a song we used to practice and now it seems like this will be our song. "Think Of Me" from Phantom ...I will always think of you...your Michelle.

Connie Wilson

July 19, 2013

I'm sorry for your loss. I loved working with her in Cabrillo Music Theatre. Her beautiful voice will be missed.

July 13, 2013

I had the pleasure of taking voice lessons from Geraldine in the 1990s when I was working part-time. I enjoyed my sessions with her. We had a lot of laughs. She was an inspiration. I am grateful for the time we had together and I became a better singer because of her. I wish to express my condolences to her family.

Friends in love

Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri

July 11, 2013

Gerri singing for John's service

Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri

July 11, 2013

Gerri & Lynda Sue

Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri

July 11, 2013

John Guarnieri w Gerri

Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri

July 11, 2013

Deck and Gerri

Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri

July 11, 2013

After The Diva's recital in Ventura

Lynda Sue Marks-Guarnieri

July 11, 2013

Gerri was a friend, colleague, mentor. My last visit with Gerri was in San Jose at the end of this past March. Our visit was substantive, filled with memories, tears of joy and great love. She was a friend and colleague also of my husband, John A. Guarnieri, Jr. Many stories to share of our work together and our many tiimes of just being together. Much love to all of her family...with much sorrow at our great loss... from Lynda Sue

Theresa Permen

July 10, 2013

Working in my dad's office gave me the opportunity to meet some very special people. Geraldine was one of them. I will never forget her singing for me while she was waiting for her appt. She will never be forgotten.

Leslie & Glenna Bellas

July 10, 2013

Wayne,Lana and Brandon

She's now singing with the angels... Rest IN PEACE

Scott Rushing

July 8, 2013

Dear Wayne and Dirk. I am sorry you lost your mom. I enjoyed reading her obituary listing her accomplishments. I a sure she also spent lots of her time and energy to support your Scouting adventures. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your families. Your old BSA buddy.....

Vivian Schmitz-Borland

July 7, 2013

Dear Decker Family,
Gerri was one of my dearest friends at Corallis. We used to sign duets together.We have kept in touch until last year. Several of us went to Seattle one time to hear Gerri in "The Ring". Took her and Deck out to dinner. I will miss her.

Joe Pfeiler

July 7, 2013

Dirk and family,

Sorry to see this. Not only do I remember Gerry from the St. Anthony's years, but also from the 1980s when her career took off. I hired the orchestra for "Elektra" when she performed Klytaemnestra.

Gerry was a hoot, and she had a big heart.

My thoughts are with you.

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results