Carolyn Richards Decker, passed away peacefully on October 13, 2024, in Severna Park, Maryland. She was born on June 15, 1936, in Belknap, Illinois.  She was predeceased by her father Bill Richards of Port Orange Florida and her mother Thelma Richards of Metropolis Illinois. Carolyn devoted her life to her family and her nursing profession, leaving a lasting impact on both.

Carolyn was a cherished wife to the late John Scott Decker, an orthopedic surgeon and after his passing in 1989, the late Edward Hromanik, an architect. She was a loving mother and leaves behind her sons Craig (Cristina) Decker and Grant (Emily) Decker and was a doting grandmother to her grandchildren Madi, Victoria, Claudia, Mara, and Nathan Decker. She also leaves behind her loving sister, Jill Anderson of Vienna, Illinois.

While earning her nursing degree from St. Lukes School of Nursing in St louis Missouri in 1957, she met her husband John Scott Decker, who was training to become an Orthopedic Surgeon.  After marrying, "Carrie" and Scott traveled the world while Scott was a surgeon for the US Navy on board submarines before settling down in Maryland to raise their sons.  In 1996 she furthered her expertise at the University of Maryland at Baltimore, obtaining her Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP) certification. Carolyn dedicated many years of practice at various clinics across Maryland, and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing in 1995.

She also mentored PNP students in the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins, guiding the next generation of nurse practitioners.

Her home was a hub of joy and hospitality, known for its annual 4th of July parties featuring her famous ice cream sundae buffet, which was a highlight for many children (and adults, too!).  Carolyn enjoyed sailing with her family on their boats, "Fair Dinkum" and "Sure Cure." Though she raced only twice, she was affectionately known as The Admiral to the devoted crews of each boat, providing shore support for her family's sailboat racing endeavors while continuing to cruise with her family all over the Chesapeake Bay.

Visitation will be held at Barranco Funeral Home on Saturday, November 30 from 4-7pm. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2pm on Sunday December 1 at Woods Memorial Church in Severna Park, immediately followed by a reception at the family home. There will be a private interment at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery with her beloved Scott Decker at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please consider donations be made to the Hospice of the Chesapeake in Carolyn's name.