SALT LAKE CITY — Retired 3rd District Juvenile Judge Christine Decker died Tuesday, according to a Utah State Courts spokesman.
Decker was appointed to the juvenile court in August 2004 by then-Gov. Olene Walker and served until her retirement in February 2015. After leaving the bench, Decker remained active in advisory and training efforts in the court.
"Judge Decker cared deeply about the children and families she served," Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant said in a statement released Wednesday. "She touched the lives of many, and her influence will be felt for years to come."
Decker was the wife of longtime KUTV reporter Rod Decker. Utah State Court Administrator Rick Schwermer praised her years of service Wednesday and offered condolences to her family.
"Her years of exceptional service to the children and families of Utah will not soon be forgotten. Our deepest sympathies are with her husband, Rod, and their family," Schwermer said.
Decker graduated cum laude in 1971 from Georgetown University and received a law degree from the University of Utah in 1975.
After coming to Utah, she worked as a deputy county attorney from 1977 to 1978 and as a bail commissioner in Salt Lake City in 1969. She went on to work in private practice and then as a guardian ad litem to the 3rd District Juvenile Court from 1997 to 2002.
As she retired in 2015, Decker was awarded the Christine M. Durham Woman Lawyer of the Year as well as the Matheson Award for outstanding service to the youth of Utah.