pSTOCKHOLM – Mrs. Madeline R. Decker, affectionately known as “Mrs. D.” to many who loved her, joined her long-departed loved ones as she passed through the veil Wednesday September 14, 2016. A lifelong resident of Stockholm, Madeline had been residing at Riverledge Nursing Facility in Ogdensburg since July 2015. /ppMadeline Wanda Robertson was born in the town of Stockholm on a cold and snowy December 10, 1925, the daughter of Vern and Florence Craig Robertson. She graduated from Potsdam High School in 1942. /ppOn December 12, 1943, another cold and snowy day, she married the love of her life, Argie Decker at her parent’s home in Hopkinton. So began a life on the multi-generational Decker farm near West Stockholm. /ppBesides being an active participant in the farm work and caring for the numerous members of the extended family, Madeline was often employed off the farm. She worked in the cafeteria at Potsdam High School, as a nutrition aide for Cooperative Extension, and her favorite job, as cook and mom-away-from-home for twenty years for girls of Zeta Gamma Sigma sorority in Potsdam. /ppBeing 4-H leaders for 45 years, Madeline and Argie were fixtures at Gouverneur Fair for many years as they exhibited their registered Lone Pine Guernsey cattle, as Madeline judged you exhibits and provided food, comfort and care for youth exhibitors around the livestock barns. /ppShe loved young people and chaperoned and drove for every 4-trip she could. She was known for cruising along in her turquois two-toned Mercury, leading a songfest of old silly songs always ending with a rousing rendition of “He’s got the Whole World in His Hands.” Everyone wanted to ride with Mrs. D on what was soon dubbed “Mad-lines.” She and Argie were recipients of many awards related to their work with youth in various capacities./ppMadeline was a woman of many interests and talents. She always had several projects on going and several books being read. In line with her love of gardening, she was a member of the Potsdam Garden Club and was a founding member of the farmer’s market. And she loved to feed people. The family feasts she cooked for are legendary. The cookie jar was always full./ppMadeline is survived by her son, Clark (Nancy) Decker, her daughters, Meribeth (Mike) Richael and Anita (Bruce) Wright, and a nephew raised and loved as a son, Paul (Shirley) Charleston. There are ten grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren, a niece, and since she adopted Argie’s family as her own, several of his family./ppMadeline was predeceased by her husband, Argie in 2006, her parents, her brother, Vernie, a niece and a nephew./ppA Memorial Service will be held Saturday at 12:00 NOON at the West Stockholm United Methodist Church with Lay Pastor Martha Helmer, officiating. A calling hour will begin at 11:00 AM at the church. The family kindly invites all to join them for lunch following the services. This is the part Madeline wanted everyone to enjoy. She loved a party and could find any excuse to have one. Burial was held privately in West Stockholm Cemetery./ppAlthough she loved flowers, Madeline preferred donations to go to Zeta Gamma Sigma Scholarship Fund; Hospice and Palliative Care of St. Lawrence Valley; or the Potsdam Animal Shelter./ppArrangements are with the Donaldson-Seymour Funeral Home, Potsdam, where memories and condolences may be shared online at www.donaldsonseymour.com./p
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