DECKER – Mary Melissa, 107, of Brooklyn, Queens County, passed away peacefully in Queens General Hospital, Liverpool on Monday, May 20, 2019.
Born in Gulliver’s Cove, NS, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Effie (Raymond) Nesbitt.
Mary was a former store clerk working in various small stores in her community. She was an active member of Pilgrim United Church participating in Guild and W.I.N.S. She enjoyed community social events such as luncheons and card parties and was an avid card player especially bridge, canasta and 45’s. In her earlier years, she enjoyed outdoor activities such as broomball and pond skating.
Mary is survived by her daughter Vernelle Bonertz of Valleyview, AB. Her grandchildren Steven, Becky, Chad, Jodi and Bradley, 21 great grandchildren and 7 great great grandchildren. Her brother Curtis (Gladys) of Centerville.
She was predeceased by her husband Alexander, her son Phillip, her sisters Beulah, Goldie, Letia, Kathleen, Myrtle and her brothers Herbie, Roy, Arnold, Elmer and Ernest.
Cremation has taken place under the direction of Chandlers’ Funeral home, Liverpool Funeral service will be Thursday, may 23, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Chandlers’ Funeral Chapel, Liverpool. Reception to follow. Burial will be in Seaside Cemetery, Brooklyn. Family flowers only, donations may be made to Queens General Hospital Foundation. Online condolences may be made to www.chandlersfuneral.com
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starr and norm Everest
RIP aunt Mary
Tim McDonald
Vernelle, Brad and family
So sorry to hear of dear Mary’s passing. She lived such a wonderful and long life and I was honored to meet her and write about her (back when she was 105) in my weekly column in the Liverpool newspaper. She was so active and smart and had a great sense of humor. My sincere condolences are being sent.
Dennis & Sherri Harrington
Sending sincere condolences to the family.Mary was a great friend of Dennis’s Mom and Dad years ago and had many good times together.She will be missed by all who knew her, take care.
Sincerely ,
Dennis & Sherri Harrington
Katrina Sarty
Our deepest condolences to Brad, Vernelle and their families. RIP Mary
Katherine Archibald
My condolences to the family . Mary was one of the greatest persons I have known.
The years that I was a neighbour ,she was always so kind .Loved her smile and laugh .
She was one of the people were lucky to have in their lives . Rest I n Peace Mary ..
Tish Fisher
Sorry to hear of Mary’s passing, she was a great Lady, I played canasta with her when she would visit Harold Emeneau. We’d have supper and then the cards came out !!!! Always lots of laughs ! R.I.P. Mary , Sincerely, Tish.
Isabelle Bush & daughter Marilyn
So sorry to hear of Marys passing, she was my dearest friend at Ryan Hall for several years, we sat at the same table to eat, and she was very special to me. I will miss her dearly
My deepest condolences to the family.
Isabelle Bush (Ryan Hall)
Joyce Foster
Sorry for your loss. She was an exceptional lady.
Nancy Spinks
Vernelle and Family, So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She sure lived life to the fullest and was fun to be around always. Thinking of you and sending sincerest sympathies.
Nancy Spinks
Donna and Gary Gehue and family
Sincere condolences to the family. Mary was a dear friend to all who knew her. She was a wonderful friend to my parents , playing cards and early years Mary and Alex would go on Weiner roasts with my parents Bessie and Harry, Vera and Andrew Harrington, Mert and Don Purdy , Clare and Russell MacLeod, Herby and Vida Manthorne, Herald and Elizabeth Eemenau, Catherine and Leon Reinhardt. Such wonderful times they all had skating on ponds and playing cards etc. I am sure all of the above who have gone on before Mary will welcome her with open arms. RIP dear Mary
B Stevenson
Was a pleasure to have played Bridge with Mary & her son Phil at the Seaside Bridge Club. Rest in peace Mary.
Marjorie MacGowan
Sorry for your loss. Marjorie Warwick MacGowan
Beverley & Betty-Jean Colp
To Mary’s family we send our deepest sympathy. Mary was always ready for a game of cards, a game of broomball and could be heard laughing when with her friends. She enjoyed her long life and will be missed by many.
Susan M MacLeod
To Mary’s family. I met Mary several times in the past and was always met with a smile and kind words. She lived a long life, enjoying it along the way. Now she is on another journey. My sincere condolences.
Susan MacLeod
Beatrice DeLong
Vernelle & Family, Sorry for your loss but there comes a time to move on. Marry lived a full life enjoying many things with her many friends……..always pleasant with a smile. To reach 107 years is amazing but then she was an amazing person. RIP Mary
Ron Frampton
We are saddened to hear the sorrowful news about Mary. Our acquaintance with her began at Ryan Hall. She was a wholesome addition to its community life and contributed greatly to making it home for other residents such as my mother, Mildred. Mary was present at all activities as an active participant. She was forever pleasant, ready to conserve, sociable, and sensitively mindful of others. Gracefully aging came naturally to her – no ‘how to’ manual required. She was a notable example of human wholeness in body, mind and spirit.
Shirley & Paul Shot
Mary was one of a kind. Her love of family and friends kept her going her whole life. She will be remembered for her whit and beautiful smile. Rest In Peace Mary, you earned it!
Bernie and Margaret Swain
I got to know Mary playing bridge at the Seaside Bridge Club some 18 years ago. She was a very able player back then and it was always a pleasure to be at her table. A bit later I partnered her son, Phil, playing duplicate bridge and he often spoke of her, including how she exercised daily to keep fit. I saw her on and off over the years until our paths crossed again in Ryan Hall where she then lived and we often chatted there.
Mary was a special lady, apart from her great age. She had an irrepressible smile and was always in good humour. My wife and I were fortunate to have known her. We offer our condolences to her family and friends for their loss.
Pat Canning-Selig/Marguarite Myers
To the family of Mary Decker
Sincere condolences to all of you, Mary was a great lady
I met her 5years ago at Ryan Hall, my mother ate her
meals with Mary. she was amazing for her age very
active playing bingo and cards , I will never forget her,
I would bring them fudge and Mary was so pleased she
also said that she was going to get me some brown sugar
I know the ladies at Crescent will miss her
Margaret Wolfe
My Sincere Condolences especially to Vernelle and all family members,,Thinking of You at this Sad time,,,Mary was a great lady and I so enjoyed spending a great afternoon at Her home after Her 106 birthday,,Margaret Wolfe,,
Diane Duquette
To Vernelle and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Your Mom was a great lady and lived a good life. Our families were always so close. She will be greatly missed.
Diane (Croft) Duquette
Ferne Jollimore
Sorry to hear of Mary’s passing – my mom, Myrtle Corkum, will miss her at Ryan Hall!!
George and Carolyn Parnell
Sending our sincere condolences to the family.
Rod Golden
My deepest sympathy to Mary’s family. I grew up in Brooklyn across from the Fina station & took over a paper route when I was 9 years old & Mr. & Mrs. Decker were one of my customers. She was a very nice lady and was always very pleasant and kind to me. She lived a full life. RIP Mary you will be among friends. Rod Golden
Curtis & Linda Leslie Maillett
Thinking of you Vernelle & Family. Mary was a Beautiful Lady who will be missed greatly. Linda & Curtis
Randi & Ted Dickie
Dear Vernelle, Bradley and Family,
A beautiful person is no longer among us….Knowing Mary has been a true gift. Our friendship happened years ago as a long time resident of Brooklyn. Mary often played Bridge with Lottie Dickie and friends. Later at Pilgrim United a further bond with this remarkable woman took place. The best memories come with our deeper friendship at the Seaside Bridge Club when Mary was always a worthy opponent either partnered with Ruth Levy and later her son Phil . Mary always had a sunshine attitude and spoke so highly of you Vernelle , Bradley and her family. She has been an exceptional person to cherish…..in thought and in heart. With caring expressions to you all !
Love,
Randi & Ted
Delta VanBuskirk
Dear Vernelle and family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers as you celebrate a life well lived. Joe and I enjoyed many good times with your Mom.
Love,
Delta
Karin & Jerry Allen
Vernelle, Bradley and family,
Our Condolences, it was a pleasure to know Mary.
Thinking of you.
Karin & Jerry
Barbara Cooke Meredith
Vernelle, Brad and family,
What a wonderful age Mary attained; and what a pleasure it was to know her. She was a role model for ageing as she enjoyed people, and loved life. My sympathy to all of you at this time. Take comfort that Mary was a life well lived and loved..
Barb
Marion Robar
To Vernelle, Bradley and Families:
Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Aunt Mary was a very special person and dearly loved by so many. The memory of her will live on in our hearts. A treasure that we will always hold dear.
Sincere Condolences Marion and Gerry
Freda Muise
Vernelle and Family, Sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Connie Smith
What a beautiful tribute to Mary. I met this fine lady when my dad was a resident at Ryan Hall. As a volunteer, I started a reading and reminiscing group which she attended faithfully. Never have I met a more loving, interesting and positive woman. I always told her she was my inspiration and will treasure our friendship always. Sending warm regards to her family- her most treasured people.
Josephine Wamback
Deepest sympathy to Mary’s family. Mary was a wonderful friend to me during our time together at Ryan Hall. She will be missed.