Mary Ann Decker, 91, of Poughkeepsie, New York died peacefully on March 8, 2026. Mary Ann was born on August 14, 1934 to the late Henry L. Fischbach and Julia M. Fischbach (Vokali). She attended Poughkeepsie High School and graduated with honors in 1952. In 1956, she married Wallace B. Decker of Poughkeepsie, New York and settled in the town of Poughkeepsie where their children, Cindy, Carrie and Clyde were born. Early in her career, Mary Ann worked at IBM and left before the birth of her first child, Cindy. She later worked part time as a realtor raising their children. The family moved to Clinton Corners in the 1970s and Mary Ann worked as Tax Collector and took a position in the Education Department at Vassar College. After her divorce, she began her 18-year journey earning a Bachelor’s of Sociology at Vassar College. She was influenced by her children to continue her education. She moved to Rhinebeck shortly afterwards and continued her career at Vassar and began painting again. As an avid oil painter, she was influenced by Winslow Homer and the Hudson River School artists. Her paintings reflected landscapes, portraits, and ocean scenes from visits to the Jersey shore, New England and the Caribbean islands. After retirement from Vassar College, Mary Ann relocated to Ft. Myers, Florida to enjoy retirement life in the warmth of the sunshine state and settled in a community with several friends from up North. She received many visitors and entertained weekly! She was very active with the water babes, museum excursions and trips to the beach. She created many special memories. Eventually she relocated back to the Hudson Valley in 2015 to be closer to family. Mary Ann was an active patron of the arts both in New York and Florida, in Poughkeepsie she volunteered at Barrett House during the 1970s. She also taught oil painting to friends and gave her children a well-verse education in the arts by attending plays, films, museums and concert halls. Mary Ann is survived by her children, Carrie Decker of Poughkeepsie, NY, and Clyde Decker of Highland, NY, her eldest daughter, Cindy Decker Censorio predeceased her in 2000, her sister J. Linda Velie (Fischbach) of Rhinebeck, NY. Her sister, Barbara J. Fischbach predeceased her in 2020. Her grandchildren, Michael Nelson, Colin Clyde and Chloe Grace filled her with immense happiness and pride. Thank you to the truly incredible staff at The Pines of Poughkeepsie, who became her family and matched her courageous spirit and helped her live life to the fullest. Calling hours will be 1PM-3PM on Sunday March 15, 2026 at Joseph J. Darrow Funeral Home, Inc., 39 South Hamilton Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Burial services will be private.