Margaret Champlin Decker, 98, of Stamford, passed away peacefully on Friday Dec. 15, 2023, at Robinson Terrace Nursing Home.
Born in Stamford July 5, 1925, she was the eldest child of the late Floyd and Clara Lyon Champlin. Margaret began her education in a one room schoolhouse in Whiskey Hollow before heading to Hobart School and in 1941 graduated with the first graduating class of South Kortright High School. Margaret then met Harry Decker and they married April 4, 1945. They celebrated 51 years of marriage prior to his death in 1996. She was also preceded in death by siblings: Leslie, Doris Clark, Frank, and Nancy Grant; sons: Ernie, Tom, and Dave; grandson: Kris Decker.
She is survived by her youngest son, Marc (Janet “AJ”); siblings: Leon Champlin and Donna Champlin; four grandchildren: Andy (Shelly) Decker, Roger (Ashley) Decker, April (Carter) Olcott, and Lorena (Ryan) Murray; 6 Great Grandchildren: Samantha Fancher, Taylor Wist, Alana Decker, Cash Olcott, Genevieve Murray and Grant Murray; three special nieces that she considered “her girls”: Debbie, Kathe and Wendy; as well as many other nieces and nephews.
For many years Margaret and Harry lived in Hobart township helping to run the family dairy farm as well as operating her parent’s farm in Whiskey Hollow. They also raised chickens and delivered eggs door to door to many area residents.
Margaret was a very caring and giving woman. Never hesitating to drop whatever she was doing to help family and friends. In 1963 her sister Nancy was hospitalized for nine weeks and she immediately opened her home to her nieces aged 1 & 3 so Nancy’s husband could continue to work and visit Nancy daily. About 10 years later she opened her home again, this time to help her brother Leon and family including her 8-year-old niece, as her sister-in-law, Dawn, needed surgery and therapy. They were all lovingly welcomed into her home for many months. Margaret even borrowed a vehicle to take Dawn for check-ups at Bassett Hospital. She was always the definition of a caretaker. She once walked a mile in a snowstorm to babysit so her friend could get to a hospital to give birth.
Her later years were devoted to home health care which she took great pride in and enjoyed immensely. Many of her patients were the grateful recipients of her cooking, canning and freezing talents. She loved baking and cooking for anyone. She enjoyed her dachshunds, hummingbirds, and plants. She sewed as a hobby, first potholders, and then lovingly found a need of surgical caps for children at St. Jude and Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester.
The family wishes to thank all the friends and neighbors who faithfully visited her at Robinson Terrace. We also want to thank the heroes who cared for her, especially Traci.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Township Methodist Church, c/o Barb Ackerly, 135 Reservoir Road, Hobart, NY 13788.
A celebration of life will take place in the spring of 2024 at the convenience of the family.
Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence with the Decker family.
