Marilyn Jane Decker

Marilyn Jane (Gooden) Decker, 89, of East Syracuse, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Born in Manlius, to the late Louis and Leona Oleta (Black) Gooden, she was also predeceased by her brothers, John and Henry, and her husband, Ronald in 2006. Marilyn was a Home Health Care Specialist, in private duty, with Home Aides of CNY. She retired in 1993 to become a private day care provider, retiring again in 2015. For over 50 years Marilyn has been a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, State of New York, beginning with her initiation into King Chapter. She served as Worthy Matron of Manlius Chapter No. 394 and of BoneFide-Hiawatha Solvay Chapter No. 567 in the 1980’s. Currently, she held dual membership in Onondaga Star Chapter No. 144 and BHS. For Grand Chapter OES, State of New York she was a past Grand Representative of Pennsylvania and served on the Necrology Committee in 2025. Marilyn enjoyed needlework, including Afghans, embroidery, and especially plastic canvas art, creating whole sets of Christmas ornaments. In addition, she collected crystal figurines. She was very involved with her family. A kind, curious, and empathetic woman, she passed those traits on to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Surviving are her daughters, Jeannine (Richard) Parks, Sandra Pritchard, and Brenda (Tim) Veator; grandchildren, Victoria (Daniel) Carlin, Antoinette “Annie” (John) Urban, Jeanette (Steve) Hogan, Elizabeth “Libby” (David) Buselli, Penny (John) Wagner, Sara (Mathew Glennon) Pritchard, Travis (Tim Carter) Pritchard, Shayne (Zoé Harter-Saunders) Cohen; eleven great grandchildren, Charlie Hogan, Katie Hogan, David Bianchi, Emilia Buselli, Alys Carlin, Leona Carlin, Jane Urban, Sybil Urban, Arrianna Wagner, Zachary (Chloe Recore) McMahon, Zoey McMahon; and a great great grandson due late in 2026. In addition, her siblings, Herbert Gooden, and Edith Hunter; sister-in-law, Ruth Gooden; many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews survive. Friends may greet the family on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:30 pm followed by an Order of the Eastern Star Service at Fergerson Funeral Home, 215 South Main Street, North Syracuse. Marilyn’s Life Celebration will be held at the Collamer United Church, on Wednesday, August 12th at 10 am where folks are asked to dress for a celebration. Private graveside services will be in Kirkville Cemetery. Donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Collamer United Church, 6865 Fly Road, East Syracuse, New York 13057.

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Marilyn Jane Decker

August 4, 2026