Betty J. Decker, gifted needleworker

Betty J. Decker, 91, passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown, when her heart failed after a long term of Alzheimer's disease.

Mrs. Decker was born Dec. 8, 1925, in Manchester, Pa., to Daisy Ellen Strine and John E. W. Strine. She was predeceased by her brother Charles T. Strine and husband William S. Decker. Her son, Michael John Decker, lives in Rehoboth Beach.

Mrs. Decker was a graduate of William Penn Senior High School in York, Pa., and studied business at York Collegiate Institute. A talented singer, she studied voice and performed with operetta arias with the York Chorus, Yorkettes, and several community bands and orchestras. During World War II she performed in USO shows, entertaining the troops. Mrs. Decker originally worked in data processing for IBM and later York Motor Freight, where she met her future husband. When her son was born she quit work to become a homemaker.

In 1963 Mrs. Decker returned to work and became bookkeeper and store manager for the L & H 5 & 10 Stores chain until they closed in 1998. Later she ran her son's business, Decker Music Studios. A gifted and prolific needle worker, Mrs. Decker served a term as president for the Embroiders Guild of America. Her work was shown in the art gallery at York College of Pennsylvania and is found in several corporate and private collections.

Mrs. Decker was formerly a member of Otterbein United Methodist Church in York, Pa.

No services are being held at this time.

Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.

Memorial donations may be made in Mrs. Decker's name to Clear Space Theatre Company at 20 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

Please visit Mrs. Decker's Life Memorial Webpage and sign her online guest book at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.