Jacqueline "Jackie" Decann

Jacqueline “Jackie” Lee DeCann, 77, of Overland Park, KS passed away 

peacefully Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Jackie was born in Morehead City, NC June 21, 1944 to Clarence and Crystal 

Matthews and then as a child moved with her family to Newark, NY.

Jackie met the love of her life, Myron “Mike” DeCann in high school and 

they were married December 11, 1965. In 1972, after many struggles to have 

children, they were blessed with a son, Michael David DeCann, the center and 

joy of their life. Myron’s work aspirations moved them away from upstate 

New York to Shawnee, KS in 1974 where they made a loving home to raise 

Michael. The distance did not come between Jackie and her family. She 

remained very close traveling back to New York a few times each year to spend 

time with them. She also enjoyed hosting her mom and brother’s family in 

Kansas City, planning fun excursions around town, and making each trip 

special and memorable.

Jackie carried many titles throughout her life, daughter, granddaughter, 

sister, cousin, bride, wife, mom, mother-in-law, grandma, aunt, friend, and 

coworker. She was a natural nurturer and she loved taking care of her family.

Myron and Jackie built a strong marriage and made a beautiful life together. 

Myron adored his Bride, as he would lovingly refer to her, knowing he had it 

good, never taking her for granted and appreciating her as an amazing wife 

and mother. The family enjoyed traveling each weekend as a getaway from the 

city to the Lake of the Ozarks where they enjoyed entertaining, swimming, 

fishing, and boating. Jackie created a welcoming lake home for Michael and 

his friends, referred to as the “lake family”, to spend time together, 

offering plenty of entertainment, good treats, and space for all of them to 

be together. Jackie was proud to be considered a second mom and felt blessed 

having them in her life.

Jackie excelled in her role as a medical office receptionist at Pediatric 

Associates. She loved seeing and getting to know the families during office 

visits over the years. She was a friendly face, smile, and laugh for all that 

entered. She truly enjoyed her job and showed off her creativity by 

decorating for every holiday, planning office celebrations including 

anniversaries, birthdays, and any other reason to celebrate her work family. 

Jackie treasured the lifelong friends she made before she retired after 33 

years in the office.

Jackie’s favorite job was being “Grandma Jackie”. In 1999, Jackie and 

Myron built their retirement home in Overland Park, KS to be near Mike, Kim, 

and the grandsons. Family was Jackie’s world, spending all her time 

watching soccer, baseball, soapbox derby, or attending scouting events. She 

was quick to sign up for school events, field trips, or driving the boys and 

their friends places. She loved listening to their conversations and made 

sure to ask a lot of questions to ensure she got all the juicy details. She 

was known as “Grandma Jackie” by all the boy’s friends and adored by 

all of them. Beyond all the boy time, Jackie and Kim could be found enjoying 

girl-time: going to movies, shopping, and getting away on memorable vacations 

to the ocean, Disney, New York, and the Southwest. Jackie was always up for 

an adventure.

Jackie is survived by her brother Jerry Matthews (Kathy), daughter-in-law 

Kimberly DeCann, grandsons Nicholas DeCann and Alexander DeCann, niece Sarah 

Duffyk (Dale, Derek, Jenna), nephew Jerry Matthews Jr (Aria, Frankie, 

Manny, Marcelo) and many cousins. Jackie was preceded in death by her 

parents, Clarence and Crystal Matthews, infant son, Myron DeCann lost at 

birth, mother-in-law, Elizabeth Colacino, husband, Myron DeCann, and son, 

Michael David DeCann.

 Private burial is arranged at East Newark Cemetery, Newark, NY.