Woman has milestone day at Davenport senior center

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By John Willard | Sunday, December 17, 2006 1:12 AM CST | () comments

Larry Fisher/QUAD-CITY TIMES Mary Decker, a registered nurse, has retired as the adult day services coordinator at CASI.

During her 13 years as adult day services coordinator for CASI, or the Center for Active Seniors Inc., Mary Decker worked tirelessly on behalf of older adults.

She also proved that aging is no barrier.

At 54, she earned certification as a registered nurse. She was in her 70s when she spearheaded the new 4,000-square-foot adult day services wing in CASI’s newly expanded seniors center at 1035 W. Kimberly Road, Davenport, and gained its accreditation from the State of Iowa.

On the occasion of her retirement Friday, Decker was given a rousing send-off, complete with a “Mary Decker Day” open house featuring music by CASI’s Golden Tones choir and other festivities.

It was a fitting celebration of her service to the 33-year-old nonprofit agency whose mission it is to meet the needs of older adults and to foster respect, dignity and quality of life. She thrived on her work at CASI and its day services program. It allows seniors older than 60 with Alzheimer’s disease or who require other special care to participate in activities in a safe, supportive environment when family members or other caregivers are not available.

“I’ve really enjoyed my years at CASI, seeing smiles not only on the faces of participants but on the faces of their caregivers. Being part of their journey has been very fulfilling,” she said.

Jerri Leinen, CASI’s president and chief executive officer, said Decker has been a valuable member of the team.

“Mary is an incredible role model, and she exemplifies what it means to be a caregiver. She always is there for the people,” Leinen said.

Decker, 74, was born in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of a father who managed farm operations at the nearby New Melleray Abbey, a Trappist monastery in Peosta. After her father’s death, she moved with her family to Sabula, where her mother was a telephone operator and the family lived in an apartment above the telephone office.

At Sabula High School, she competed in basketball and, after graduation, went to work in the personnel department of the Savanna (Ill.) Ordnance military base. She got married and stayed home to raise five children. After her divorce, she was an elementary school teacher’s aide for seven years. She planned to complete the education requirements to become a teacher, but was hesitant because the job market for teachers was not bright at the time.

A friend suggested nursing, so she enrolled in the associate degree nursing program at Scott Community College. At 50, she was the oldest in her class. Although she had no science background, she plunged into her studies. “It was a struggle, but I just had to work at it,” she said.

After graduating in 1986, she worked for 6 1/2 years at Davenport’s Mercy Hospital, where she was assigned to the general medical floor. After taking early retirement, she joined CASI in November 1993.

Among her accomplishments was the planning and completion of Jane’s Place, as the new adult day services center at CASI is known. It is named in honor of Jane Folwell, who was instrumental in the success of the capital campaign to finance CASI’s expanded building that was completed in May. The new adult services center accommodates 48 people — 10 more than the previous facility — in a home-like environment, complete with two patios and an aviary where live birds flutter.

Decker celebrated her Irish heritage by being selected in 2001 as Irish Mother of the Year by the St. Patrick Society of the Quad-Cities. She also has been involved in religious education for the Catholic Diocese of Davenport since 1975.

She concedes that she is leaving CASI with mixed emotions but plans to continue her relationship with the organization as a volunteer.

“I like the people, staff and mission. It has been a privilege to work with so many wonderful people,” she said.

John Willard can be contacted at (563) 383-2314 or jwillard@qctimes.com.