Sandi J. Decken

Groton — Ms. Sandi Jennifer Decken, 51, of Groton went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Dec. 14, 2021. Born June 26, 1970, in Rockland County, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late William J. Decken Jr. and Joyce A. Decken of Waterford.

Sandi was a 1988 graduate of Clarkstown High School South in West Nyack, N.Y., and went on to obtain her LPN at BOCES. Ms. Decken traveled with the Lutheran Youth Encounter: “Rainbow of Promise” International Team to India and Nepal, and worked in Christian ministry with Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Pearl River, N.Y., Lutherans Outdoors in South Dakota, The Center for Discovery in Harris, N.Y., New Hope Community in Loch Shelfrake, N.Y., and Camp Koinonia in Highland Lake,

N.Y. She was also employed by William W. Backus Hospital in Norwich.

Sandi loved all animals, especially horses, her cats and mini Yorkie puppy. Her laugh was contagious. She loved unconditionally; children gravitated to her; and she was a true and faithful friend. She loved singing and her passion was outdoor ministry.

She was predeceased by her father William J. Decken Jr. Surviving is her mother, Joyce A. Decken; siblings, Susan Kalage (Chris), William M. Decken (Grace), Janet Brinkman (Steve) and Sean Decken; seven nieces and nephews; and eight great-nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday,

June 15, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home in Niantic, with the Reverend Eric Elkin officiating. Family and friends will visit immediately following the service at 48 South Cobblers Court, Niantic. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Humane Society, cthumane.org, or Camp Koinonia, 165 Lakeview Drive, Highland Lake, NY 12743, koinoniany.org.