Kathy Marie Gray, 73

Kathy Marie Decker-Gray passed away Jan. 28, 2025, at the age of 73 after a short illness. She was the sister of Sheryl A. Decker and the aunt of Christina A. Simonson and Robert S. Ciaccio. 

Kathy was well-loved by many in the Kootenai County, Idaho community and remembered by countless former students as their third grade teacher, Mrs. Gray. As a teacher for more than 20 years in Spirit Lake, Idaho, she impacted many young lives, and many of her students continued to keep in touch. She was active with her fellow teachers in the community, participating in book clubs, quilting and outreach to children who wanted to learn to quilt.

Kathy was born March 30, 1951, to Merrell Decker and Barbara Decker (Massey) in Lafayette, Ind. She spent most of her life in the West, living in Idaho, Oregon, Washington and California, and had lived in North Idaho since 1992.

She is survived by her sister, Sheryl A Decker (Blaine Becker), her nephew, Robert S. Ciaccio (Susan), her niece, Christina A. Ciaccio Simonson (Kelly), and her grandnephews, John and Ted Ciaccio, and Braden Ciaccio and Easton Simonson. She is preceded in death by her parents, Merrell O. Decker and Barbara J. Massey, and her husband, Steven S. Gray.

Her loving family: Sheryl, Christina and Robbie.