Susan Decker
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Susan Jane Decker was born in Columbia, MO on February 20, 1953. She passed away after an extended illness with cancer on March 12, 2010.
Susan was a graduate of Hickman High School. She received a bachelor from Stephen College in Fine Arts (Theater), an MA degree in English and a Jurist Doctor from the University of Missouri. While in Law School she served as a summer intern with Congress Harold Volkmer. She had a private law practice in Hilo, HI. for almost 10 years and later practiced Family Law in Columbia.
During the period of her medical treatment she engaged in writing fiction in her home. She cmpleted a novel and several shart stories which remain unpublished. She had membership in Columbia Writers Guild, Columbia Kiwanis Club, First Presbyterian Church, Rock and Lapidary Club of Columbia and Columbian Chapter of the DAR. She had been a member of the Hawaii Bar Association and the Missouri Bar Association.
She is survived by her thirteen year old son, Aidan John McNarie, her parents, Wayne and Jane Decker of Columbia, numerous cousins from Ohio, to Iowa and Missouri, to Texas, to Arizona, and to California and two aunts in Iowa.
A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Columbia at 1 pm on Friday March 19.. Memorial remembrances may be sent to Preferred Hostice of Missouri, 1900 Providence Rd, Suite 311, Columbia, MO 65202.
Visits: 7
Dear Aidan, Wayne and family-
We are all so sorry to hear of Susan’s death. We have missed her and you Aidan since we moved and we will miss you both even more. Please know that we are always here for you, Aidan our home is your home and you are welcome here anytime and for any amount of time. Susan was a good neigbor, a devoted mother and a good friend. Please let us know if there is anyting we can do.
Love, The Byerly Dukes: Kyna Jeremy, Eli Jacob and Rachel
Our deepest sympathey to Aiden and all Susan’s family,
Susan was a neighbor, a fellow Public Defender, a strong supporter and worker for the “Save Stephen’s Lake” effort and the Park’s Ballot Initiative. Thanks to Susan for all her work and for all the positive things she has done for people and the community. She was so determined and had a strong spirit. Aiden was the joy of her life and helped her live longer than others expected. She was unique. I am interested in planting a memorial tree in Susan’s honor and memory at Stephen’s Lake park. I will contact the Parks & Rec. Department and see how people can donate. I think it is $300 total. Susan was part of the small central group of people who worked on the “Save Stephens Lake” campaign. She was our key liason to the Stephens Alumni’s to get their support to keep it a Central Park for the use of all residents of Columbia and future Stephen’s students. Please email me at yesforparks@hotmail.comif you are interested in the Memorial Tree at Stephen’s Lake Park. It was a pleasure knowing and working with Susan. Aiden be sure you have the video of your mother’s tour of the Missouri Theatre which was shown at the Mayor’s Breakfast given by the Chamber of Commerce last year. May part of her spirit and intelligence and determination be with you and guide and comfort you forever.
Barbara Hoppe & Mike Sleadd
Our deepest sympathey to Aiden and all Susan’s family,
Susan was a neighbor, a fellow Public Defender, a strong supporter and worker for the “Save Stephen’s Lake” effort and the Park’s Ballot Initiative. Thanks to Susan for all her work and for all the positive things she has done for people and the community. She was so determined and had a strong spirit. Aiden was the joy of her life and helped her live longer than others expected. She was unique. I am interested in planting a memorial tree in Susan’s honor and memory at Stephen’s Lake park. I will contact the Parks & Rec. Department and see how people can donate. I think it is $300 total. Susan was part of the small central group of people who worked on the “Save Stephens Lake” campaign. She was our key liason to the Stephens Alumni’s to get their support to keep it a Central Park for the use of all residents of Columbia and future Stephen’s students. Please email me at yesforparks@hotmail.comif you are interested in the Memorial Tree at Stephen’s Lake Park. It was a pleasure knowing and working with Susan. Aiden be sure you have the video of your mother’s tour of the Missouri Theatre which was shown at the Mayor’s Breakfast given by the Chamber of Commerce last year. May part of her spirit and intelligence and determination be with you and guide and comfort you forever.
Barbara Hoppe & Mike Sleadd
I’ve known Susan since we were both Camp Fire Girls here in Columbia. Though she was a couple years younger than me we often had activities and camp experiences together, and later served on the local Camp Fire Board together. In recent years I only saw her occasionally, but she was always warm and cheerful when we met. I know Aidan was the center of her life and offer him and his grandparents my deepest sympathy at her loss. Though I’m sure it was a long time expected, it is no less hard when it happens. I love Barbara’s idea of a memorial tree and will do what I can to support it. Martha John
Aidan, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Your Mom was a wonderful woman and devoted mother.
May you always feel her presence in your heart and remember the warmth of her smile.
I’m so sorry to hear of Susan’s passing. I remember her as a camper and much much later as a Camp Fire board member. I will be holding Aidan and her parents in the Light through this difficult transition.
i want to express my heartfelt sympathy to the family
Wayne and Jane,
Am thinking of you this day. I am so saddenedby Susan’s death. Think of you and A.J. often. Miss you.
To the family of Susan – I knew Susan from grade school to high school and thereafter. We were in the same Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls organization. Also, we challenged each other for first chair flute all the time in Jr. High. I moved from Columbia in 1975 and saw her again a few years ago in Columbia and we recognized each other after that long period of time. Let her spirit and the memories of her life help with the loss of her presence.
We are saddened to hear of Susan’s passing, and our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Aiden, Mikayla and I are sadden by the loss of your wonderful mother. She was a strong and caring individual. I can remember that last time I saw her at Lange for Parent Teacher Conferences. She wasn’t feeling well at all, but still she was there giving everything she had, like a trooper! Eventhough she wasn’t feeling well, she also took time to ask Mikayla about her latest athletic endeavors. We were all lucky to have had the pleasure of being apart of Susan Deckers’dash. God Bless you Aiden!
Dear Aidan and family,
Although we have never met, I want you to know that your mother Susan touched many lives. I had the privilege of working with her sometimes while she was a public defender representing people who did not speak English well. I was the supervising anthropologist and Spanish interpreter who ran Culture Guides, Inc. and provided interpreters to the Public Defender system as well as many other agencies and organizations. I had the opportunity to have extended phone conversations with Susan about various cases, and she was an unfailing advocate for the rights of people, no matter what their origin. She believed in justice and compassion. She had a great deal of common sense, the kind that is not so common, and she believed whole-heartedly in making a difference, no matter how large or small. She also had a great sense of humor and always seemed to take time to be authentic as a human being in her relations with me and with her clients. When I happened to see a note from the UU Church saying that Sue Tillema had lit a candle during Joys and Concerns for her passing, I was so sorry to hear the news. Please know that Susan touched so many lives, probably the majority of which you will never know. That is why I have written this, so that you will have some inkling of how far her life reached to touch so many. I will hold you all in my prayers. May the light of her love and devotion be with you always. –Jackie Ambrow
Aidan and grandparents…I have fond memories of your mother, Susan, Aidan. She thought the world of you and I know wants you to do well in your life. Please know that I care about you and remember the time I knew you when you were a student at Shepard.
Love and sympathy to
you,
Mrs. Sally Phillips
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