Decker (also see Decker & Decker)

DECKER STUDIO …

Shirley Gertrude Kelly (Kelley) Decker Nelson was born February 26, 1895, in Washington state and died August 14, 1991, in Santa Rosa, California. She studied design prior to marrying George Decker in Los Angeles, California, on August 16, 1923. She was the joint owner and operator of Decker & Decker studio with her husband from January 1925 until his death in November 1943. Ascertaining their division of labor is problematic; however, their advertisements market them as equal partners. Both their names appear in their advertisements, and “Double Decker” was used as a clever logo. Shirley specialized in color portraits. Advertisements announcing “A Portrait Complete - In Color by Shirley Decker” were published in the 1930s. She was also known for her ability to insert missing individuals into group portraits by manipulating negatives. This skill was referred to as “photograph copy work”. Shirley was a Soroptimist International of Petaluma charter member and served as secretary and president.

On May 25, 1947, Shirley married another photographer, Theodore J. Nelson, who owned and operated the Nelson Studio on Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa. She departed Petaluma to live with him in Santa Rosa but, for eleven years, commuted to Petaluma to continue operating her Decker & Decker Studio. Shirley was buried in Petaluma’s Cypress Hill Memorial Park.

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