Joyce Ann Decker, 89, of Adams Court, South Deerfield, found peace with God on March 11, 2025, at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton. Born on January 28, 1936, in Middlesboro, KY, Joyce was the daughter of Ralph and Lucille Jones. Joyce grew up in Erlanger, KY and attended Lloyd High School. She was a graduate of Northern Kentucky College and began her career as a dental hygienist. In 1954, Joyce met the love of her life, Bill, and they married in 1956. They started their family in New York, before settling in Greenfield, MA, in 1967. For 25 years, Joyce was a familiar face as a sales associate in the Abbott Gallery at Wilson’s Department Store, retiring in 1997. After retirement, she and Bill spent several years wintering in Marco Island, Fl.
Joyce loved being home to raise her children, yet remained active in community affairs. She volunteered as a Brownie troop leader and summer camp counselor. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant at Holy Family Church in South Deerfield. She gave her time generously to the Adopt-a-Family program, holiday craft fairs, and preparing meals for church events. She looked forward to her weekly prayer group and traveling with friends to The Divine Mercy Chapel in Stockbridge, MA.
Among her survivors, Joyce leaves three daughters, Janice Currie (Mike) of Conway, MA, Karen May (Kevin) of Hatfield, MA, and Catherine Conroy (TJ) of Conway, MA; two sons, Bill Decker Jr. (Nancy) of Duxbury, MA and Tom Decker (Emily) of Ridgefield, CT; twelve grandchildren, Matthew, Michael, Kelly, Stephanie, Kevin Jr., Tyler, Jacob, Kyle, Sarah, Kacey, Georgia, and Jonathan; ten great grandchildren, Sydney, Grace, Annabelle, Nora, David, Kace, Kaelyn, Jackson, Madison, and Casey. She is survived by her sister, Janice Keeney of Covington, KY and her sister-in-law, Anne Decker of Media, PA, and many loving nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband of 51 years, William K. Decker Sr., in 2007, as well as her daughter, Deborah Ann Decker, and her parents.
Joyce will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She loved spending time with family and friends and became affectionately known as “Mugga,” a name given to her by Kelly, her first grandchild. Never losing her touch for Southern hospitality, Mugga was known for her generous offering of signature sweet treats and comfort foods. A seemingly simple “chicken” candy dish became a hallmark of her home. When family members (young and old) visited, their first stop was almost always to “check the chicken!” for M&Ms. She loved snuggling with her grandchildren, great grandchildren and furry animal friends. She and Bill were loyal fans to their family’s sporting, fine arts, and school events. Mugga loved reading, knitting, summer concerts, gardening, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, but most especially phone calls and visits from family and friends. She was grateful for neighborhood friends and the “Frontier Family” that always felt like an extension of her own. Mugga was the last surviving member of “The Club,” a group of tight knit friends whom she and Bill met when they first arrived in Greenfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the YMCA of Greenfield at 451 Main Street, Greenfield, MA 01301. But, to also honor our mother, you could prepare a treat for a friend, call someone you love, or plant a spring seedling.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11am at Holy Family Church, 29 Sugarloaf Street, South Deerfield. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery in South Deerfield.
Calling hours will be held Monday morning from 9 am until 10:30 am at the Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal Street, Greenfield.
For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.