September 17, 1946 – April 19, 2025
Jacquelyne L. Decker, 78, of Salamanca, NY died Saturday morning, April 19, 2025 at home following a long illness.
Born September 17, 1946 in Salamanca, NY, she was the daughter of the late Spencer and Doris Watt Jimerson. She was married March 7, 1970 to Thomas L. Decker, who predeceased her in 2024
She was an enrolled member of the Seneca Nation of Indians and the Turtle Clan.
She was a graduate of Salamanca High School, Class of 1965 and earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from St. Bonaventure University.
Jacquelyne had been employed as a social worker with New Directions, Salamanca, NY retiring in 2007, and had previously worked for Cattaraugus County Head Start and served as director for the Seneca Nation Early Childhood Learning Center.
She enjoyed spending time at the cabin with her grandchildren and travelling with them and her late husband to Sandbridge Beach, VA. In her younger years, she was a softball player, and was an avid NY Yankees fan. She enjoyed the outdoors and playing the slots. She hosted foreign exchange students and will be remembered for instilling the importance of education in others.
Surviving are: two daughters, Stacy Decker, Marla Decker; two sons, Thomas (Crystal Smith) Decker, Justin (Kayla Evrett) Decker; a granddaughter, Kailah Fisher; ten grandsons, Decker Runn, Zachary (Meghan) Petrichko, Sean (Carri) Fisher, Kobee Decker, Jackson Decker, Grady Decker, Sullivan Decker, Ernest Pinnecoose, George Parsons, Denver Parsons; four great-granddaughters, Dorey Brooks, Stormi Brooks, Lillian Petrichko, Luna Petrichko; three great-grandsons, Mannix Lounsbury Runn, Howell Lounsbury Runn, Bodhi Brooks; three sisters, Valerie White, Denise (Art) Hill, Lynne Cowher; four brothers, Robert Jimerson, Spencer (Kathy) Jimerson, Steve (Natalie) Jimerson, Lonnie (Kathy) Johnson; special cousins, Sandra (Doug) Sampson, Edward (Pam) Hill, Raymond (Janet) Hill; her special friend, Brenda Kindt; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
She was predeceased by two sisters, Patricia Osborne, Margo Jimerson, and six brothers, Dennis Jimerson, Bruce Jimerson, Charles Jimerson, Thomas Fisher, Martin Jimerson, and infant Stephen Jimerson.
Friends may call at the O’Rourke & O’Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, NY on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., at which time funeral services will be held.
Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Salamanca, NY.
E-condolences can be sent to orourke.orourkefh@gmail.com or posted to facebook.com/onofh.
