Mary Anne Decaria

Mary Anne Decaria
November 4, 1954- March 20, 2023
Mary Anne Decaria passed away peacefully, surrounded by close family, on March 20, 2023, after living courageously and gracefully with Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease for the past eight years.
Mary Anne was born on November 4, 1954 to Joe and Lee Decaria in Ogden, UT. She graduated from Ogden High School in 1973, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 1977. She received her Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University Law School, graduating Cum Laude in 1981.
After graduating from law school, Mary Anne moved to Reno, NV, and began her law career as a clerk with the Honorable John W. Barrett. Here she got a front row seat to the Nevada legal system, acting not only as a legal researcher, but as bailiff, responsible for looking after the jurors and sitting through every courtroom proceeding. The most famous of these cases being, the Priscilla Ford Trial in 1981.
She partnered with Gary Silverman in 1982, co-founding their firm, Silverman & Decaria. She gravitated towards family law for the breadth of scope and nuances it provided. She found great satisfaction from helping people navigate through difficult times and advocated whole-heartedly for her clients and their families.
Mary Anne was known for her integrity, high ethical standards, and compassion, setting the bar high for her peers. Her service extended not only to her clients, but to her community and professional colleagues as well. Her contribution to the Nevada Family Law community was extensive. She served on many boards and organizations including, the Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board, the Family Bench Bar and Family Court Rules Committees for the Second Judicial District Court, and served on the Executive Council of the Nevada State Bar's Family Law Section. She was a driving force in Washoe County's Volunteer Lawyers Pro Bono Program, serving as President. She was also a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and was recognized in national publications as one of the top lawyers in the state of Nevada.
Mary Anne's influence extended outside the field of law, to her friends and family, and all those who got the pleasure to know her. She loved people and loved helping people, and most of all, she loved her family. She created a household filled with warmth, surrounding herself with art and brightness, always with a vase of flowers on display. Her home was a place people gravitated towards; everyone could feel the love and warmth she provided. She hosted many large family gatherings, and friends would quickly turn into family. Everyone was welcome.
Mary Anne's daughters, Jessica and Christina, were most important to her. She strived to set the example of strength, independence and kindness and taught them the value of hard-work and the importance of helping others.
She loved to travel, especially to Italy, and felt a strong connection to her Italian heritage. She loved to read and do puzzles, always keeping her mind active and busy.
Mary Anne was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Lee Decaria, and her brother, Mark Decaria. She is survived by her daughters, Jessica (Trevor) Bradshaw and their three sons; Christina (Alan) Griffith and their two sons; her brother Joe Decaria; her sisters Chris Decaria and Liz (Neil) Krutz; as well as many extended family and friends.
A funeral Mass will be held at St. Albert's the Great on April 28, 2023 @ 1:00pm. A celebration of life will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada or the Alzheimer's Association.