Helen M. Decato

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Helen M. Decato

SOUTH PARIS — Helen M. Decato, 96, of South Paris died Friday, December 9, 2011 at Market Square Health Care Center in South Paris. She was born in South Paris on September 4, 1915, the daughter of Henry and Dora Stevens Merrill. She graduated in the Class of 1933 from Paris High School, where she played basketball. In June 1935 she married Richard J. Decato; they were married 62 years until his death on October 4, 1997. She worked over 20 years at C.B. Cummings and was the “mail lady” at Stephens Memorial Hospital for 25 years.

She attended the annual school banquet for 78 years and received the Alumni of the Year award from the association in 1991. She attended the Deering Memorial Methodist Church and was a member of the Mr. & Mrs. of the church.

Mrs. Decato was a member of the firemen's auxiliary, Christmas club, Mother's Club, Christian Women United, a bowling team and Thursday night Bingo. Sunday evenings were special when the families all got together to watch the Decatos' slide shows. She liked playing golf, but most of all watching basketball, attending Sea Dogs games and watching the Red Sox. She enjoyed watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as all the Oxford Hills Vikings teams. In 2005 she was honored as a loyal fan who attended every home game. She and her husband liked to travel and went to 38 states. She had a good sense of humor, saw the best in everyone, and enjoyed life to its fullest. Family gatherings and all the holidays were important to her.

Survivors include her son, Lloyd M. and his wife Alice of South Paris; her daughter, Janice Guilford and her husband Richard of South Paris; a daughter-in-law, Dana Decato of Norway; grandchildren, Richard Decato and his wife Debbie, Joan Decato, Carole Wormwood, John Wormwood, Meryl Noel, Christopher Decato and his wife Sarah and Shelby Decato; great-grandchildren, Kyla and Kelvin Decato, John, Miranda and Samantha Wormwood, Matthew, Ryan and Kevin Noel, Bailey Wood and Isla Decato; her brother, Ralph Merrill of South Paris and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; a son, Danny; a sister, Greta Caldwell and brothers, Clarence, Lawrence and Henry Merrill.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 15 at 11 a.m. at the Deering Memorial Methodist Church, corner of Church and Main Street, South Paris with interment in Riverside Annex Cemetery. Family and friends called at the Chandler Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 45 Main Street, South Paris on Wednesday evening. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Deering Memorial Methodist Church, P.O. Box 356, South Paris, ME 04281. On-line condolences may be shared with her family at www.chandlerfunerals.com.