Back to Message Board

Lorraine Shaw Decker - Class of 1971

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 24/May/2025
71.223.79.225

  Lorraine Mary Shaw Decker, 71, of Newburgh, NY, loving wife, mother, daughter, and sister, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025 with her family at her side.

Lori (Laurie) was born January 24th, 1954 in Newburgh to George and Madeline Shaw, and was married to her husband, Gary Decker in 1978. She graduated from Newburgh Free Academy, class of 1971 and Hudson River State Hospital School of Nursing, class of 1974. Upon graduation she started a lifelong career as a registered nurse within the Departments of New York State.

Being a resident of Newburgh her entire life, Lori enjoyed the lower Hudson Valley and beyond. For over 20 years she participated in the yearly Renaissance Faire. She made all her own costumes and garb, and was a proud member of the Wenches Guild, making many great friends there over the years. Lori was also a member of the local T.O.P.S. chapter and earned New York Queen in 1999. Lori's other interests included target whipping with a club in Gardiner, NY, taking hand drum lessons, sewing, gardening, craft making, hand painting ceramics and traveling to Atlantic City and Las Vegas with her daughter.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathleen (Kady) Decker of Newburgh, NY. Lori was predeceased by her husband of 42 years, Gary John Decker of Newburgh, NY, her father, a former mayor of Newburgh, the Honorable George J. Shaw Jr., her mother Madeline D. Juba Shaw, and her brothers James G. Shaw and George J. Shaw III of Newburgh, NY. She is survived by her siblings Kathleen Esfahanian (Sa-id) of Ipswich, MA, Gregory Shaw (Margaret) of Bluffton, SC, Timothy Shaw (Anne) of New Windsor, NY, and Madelyn Jones (David) of Nebo, NC, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

There will be a Celebration of Life on July 19, 2025 in Newburgh, NY. - January 24, 1954 ~ March 25, 2025