Evelyn James

Evelyn H. James, 98, of Rensselaer and formerly of Copake, passed away peacefully on June 28, 2023 at St. Peter’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Albany. She was born in Copake on July 11, 1924 to Everett and Catherine (Krick) Pectal. She was a graduate of RoeJan School where she would work some years later in the cafeteria. Above all else she was a devoted mother, phenomenal cook and homemaker. Her chocolate cake was almost famous and certainly requested by many friends and family over the years. She enjoyed camping with her late husband Herbert. They would winter in Florida and enjoyed taking trips to Vermont. Evelyn also loved gardening and her flowers. She would also crochet blankets for Veterans at the VA hospital. In her later years she enjoyed keeping her mind active with word search books.

Evelyn is survived by her sons, Kim Decker and his companion, Marcella, and Kraig Decker and his wife, Lindaand her stepdaughter Barbara Williams. She is also survived by three grandchildren; Matthew (Denise) Decker, Joshua (Mary Beth) Decker, Lindsey (Chris) Mortimer. Also survived by her are her great-granchidren Madilyn, Emily, Taylor, Ryan, and Michaela, and 4 step great-grandchildren and her sister, Lucene Harrington. In addition survivors include nieces & nephews Carol Gansowski, Jackie Dextraze, Rhea Buchan, Risa Harrington, Michael Harrington and Jimi Harrington. She was predeceased by her first husband Wilbur Decker, her late husband Herbert James, her brother George Pectal and her beloved dog Lani.

A time for offering condolences and sharing of memories will be Tuesday, July 11, 2023 from 11 to 1pm at Peck & Peck Funeral Homes, 8063 Route 22, Copake, NY 12516. Where at 1:00pm a memorial service will be held. Pastor Squires will officiate. Inurnment will follow in Niver Cemetery, Craryville, NY.

In lieu of flowers donations in Evelyn’s memory are requested to the Copake United Methodist Church, Copake, NY 12516.