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As received from the O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home:
Patricia A. Decker, 86, of Hancock passed away Saturday morning, November 7, 2020 at Canal View in Hancock.
She was born in Hancock to the late Joseph and Josephine (Chiminatti) LaBelle. She attended Hancock schools and graduated with the Class of 1953.
Patricia married Herbert Wiitanen in 1959, and they had two children, Carol, and Mark. Herbert preceded her in death in April 1970. She also married William Decker in April 1976. He preceded her in death in August 2003.
She was a member of the Church of the Resurrection’s prayer shawl group and looked forward to the fellowship of this group every Thursday afternoon when it met. She loved playing bingo and was a regular at the Chassell VFW bingo on Sundays, and South Range VFW bingo on Wednesdays, before the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. She also loved doing crossword puzzles and building jigsaw puzzles.
Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Marie Pierce, Joan Dulong, Frances DeCesare, four other infant sisters, a brother, Bernard “Bunny” LaBelle, and daughter-in-law LoriAnn Wiitanen.
Patricia, Frances, and Joan were known as the “Golden Girls”; they are now together again in Heaven.
She is survived by her children, daughter Carol Wiitanen (husband, David Strang), of Copper City, and son, Mark Wiitanen, of Laughlin, Nevada, nieces – Roberta, Vicky, Mary Jo and Mary (all who visited her often), other nieces, cousins, and friends, especially Audrey, Mary, and the two Kathy’s.
She was a faithful member of the Church of the Resurrection. She will be greatly missed by all that knew her.
A private family service is planned because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The O’Neill-Dennis Funeral Home of Hancock is in charge of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, please go to www.oneilldennisfh.com.
