Barbara Lucille Decker

Barbara Decker a longtime resident of Chico, passed away May 16, 2024, at the age of 89. She lived a long and wonderous life filled with love and family.

The only daughter and first of four children; Barbara was born at home to Bernita and C.E. “Ed“ Massae in Evanston Wyoming on Nov. 9, 1934. Her parents owned a gas station in Spring Valley, Wyoming where Bernita continued to operate it and raised Barbara while Ed started a business mining Tungsten.

In 1946, the family moved to California. They bought an olive orchard on Elliott Road in Paradise. They produced olive oil and olives under the Massae label. Barbara made the adjustment to living in California and loved it, however they would go back to Evanston Wyoming every summer visiting family and friends. She remained in contact with her childhood friend Sheryl King; speaking twice a year on their birthdays. It was an amazing friendship that truly lasted a lifetime, and they were able to see each other one more time in June 2019.

She met the love of her life Richard Decker through his sisters Virginia and Maryann Decker in 1949. They were married June 27,1953 in Paradise at St. Thomas More Catholic Church soon after Richard returned home from the Korean War.

They were ready to begin their journey together, starting their own family with the arrival of Michael and then Daniel. Richard moved his young family to San Francisco for a year while he attended a technical college. They returned to Paradise, where their next three children, Julie, Joseph and John were born. Needing more room for their expanding family, Richard and Barbara built a new home in Chico, adding two more children to their family, Thomas and Diana.

Another important part of Barbara's life was the Catholic Church. She was a proud member of Catholic Daughters and served as Grand Regent in 1983 and 1985. She also belonged to the Altar Society and made sure her young family attended Sunday Mass. After the kids grew up Barbara and Richard attended

Mass every Sunday at St. John’s Catholic Church and enjoyed breakfast with friends afterwards. This tradition continued until Richard passed away.

After their children had grown, Richard and Barbara purchased their first motorhome and started a new tradition for themselves. They spent time exploring the western states and driving up the Pacific Coast all the way to Canada. They enjoyed traveling with friends and family, but cherished the fact that all of their grandchildren were able to go on many adventures with them.

Barbara is survived by her children, Michael, Daniel and Jan, Julie, Thomas and Sandi, and Diana, all of Chico, John of Redding; her grandchildren, Laura Decker and Ash Dickson of Monterrey, Neil Decker and Jerry Hartman of Woodland, Joseph Decker of Sacramento, Heather and Ntxiag Thor, Hana Devine, Hailey Devine, and Jessika Auerbach all of Chico,; great-grandchildren, Alicia and Alex Gastalu of Florida and Chase Tietz, of Chico: great-great granddaughter Annastasia Gastalu of Florida

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years Richard, her infant son, Joseph, her two brothers Jack and Darrell Massae. She is survived by her youngest brother Gordon Massae of Paradise, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at

10:30a.m. on Thursday, May 23, 2024, with internment at Glen Oaks

Memorial. A reception will take place after the services at Tom Decker’s home