Obituary of Ena Decker
Ena Faith Decker (nee Pelley) - Kingston, ON - formerly of Coxheath, Cape Breton
The family of Ena Decker are sad to announce her sudden passing at Kingston, Ontario on Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the age of 86 years. Ena was born in George’s Brook, NL on May 21, 1936, to Chesley and Mona Pelley, and married Ernest Decker in 1958. They moved from Gander to Cape Breton in 1961 and made Sydney their home for many years. They raised their family on Leeside Drive in Coxheath, where their three daughters enjoyed a wonderful childhood. Ernie predeceased Ena in 1998 after 40 years of marriage and she made the most of the next 24 years spending time with family and friends, fulfilling life-long dreams including making a trip to Galway Bay in Ireland and making new friends along the way.
Ena is survived by Pam, Joy and Lisa and their families, John Timmerman, Jim, Patrick and Jonathan Cookson and Randy, Grace and Ainsley MacFarlane. She is also greatly missed by her brother, Charles Pelley, sister-in-law, Yvonne and their children Jennifer, Karen and Andrew and their families Neil, Christopher and Elizabeth Robitaille, Leo, Nicolas and Adrien Grepin and Maya, Noa and Remi Pelley. Ena also maintained close relationships with Ernie’s sisters and brothers, their spouses and children, all of whom mourn her loss.
Ena had a varied and long career that included time with Canadian National Telecommunications in both Gander and Sydney where she worked in telephone and telegraph offices during the era when communications were delivered to homes by messengers on bicycles and when telephone operators connected calls using manually operated switchboards. In her 80’s she was communicating with friends and family through calls, texts, Facebook and Messenger – using either her smart phone or iPad.
The majority of her working career was spent at the SYSCO General Office where she started in Payroll after receiving a diploma from the Cape Breton Business College in her 30’s. Before retiring she was a Buyer in the Purchasing Office.
She was an inspiration to her three daughters who knew from an early age that education, intention and adventure were all equally important. With her full support they pursued piano and dancing lessons, took on acting roles and learned to be exceptional shoppers. Each one then pursued their own dreams and careers as Ena proudly applauded them along the way.
Ena was a long-standing member of the congregation of Sydney River United Protestant Church. She was an Elder of the Church and participated in the UCW, the Ladies Guild, and served as the superintendent of the Sunday School.
In later life she moved to Kingston where her brother and eldest daughter reside. She was quick to make friends and happy to have new experiences such as cruising the 1000 islands, pole walking and taking daytrips around the local area.
Ena was dearly loved and will be missed by those who have had the good fortune to know her. Cremation has taken place and, in keeping with her wishes, she will be reunited with Ernie in Cape Breton at the Alfred Smith Memorial Cemetery in Sydney River at a later date. Donations in memory of Ena may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of your choice.
