A Shell Beach teen who died in a single-vehicle accident last week is being remembered as a girl who was a “people pleaser.”

Addison “Addy” Decker, 17, died at 10 p.m. Thursday after she lost control of the 2002 Jeep Liberty she was driving northbound on Highway 101 near the Wadsworth Street offramp in Pismo Beach.

Addison was driving at an unknown rate of speed when she collided with a metal guardrail, causing the vehicle to flip and land on its roof in the center median, according to CHP Officer Mike Poelking.

The accident remained under investigation, Poelking said Monday.

A memorial service will be held at

11 a.m. Wednesday at La Perla Del Mar Chapel, 205 Windward Ave., Shell Beach, and a celebration of Addison's “life and free spirit” will immediately follow at the San Luis Obispo Country Club.

Addison was born Sept. 20, 1990, at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center in San Luis Obispo to Victoria Jennings and Jim Decker. She grew up in Shell Beach and was an only child.

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She attended Shell Beach Elementary and Judkins Middle School, and graduated in June from Arroyo Grande High School. She worked at Alex Bar-B-Q in Shell Beach, and had planned to attend Cuesta College in the fall.

“She's going to be very well missed,” Alex Bar-B-Q owner Harry Lindell said. “It was a sad day around here on Friday, and it will be a sad day around here for a long time.”

Lindell said Addison was a “people pleaser” who was very outgoing and friendly. He had planned to promote her to lunch server this summer.

“She did a great job,” Lindell said. “She got it; she understood service. Every shift that she worked, I didn't have to worry (about the guests) She

was a guest pleaser.”

Addison's mother helped Lindell open his restaurant - Jennings is a chef - and he said he spoke to her on Friday. Jennings couldn't be reached for comment.

Lindell said it was hard to talk with his friend about her only child's death, and all he could do was listen to Jennings. He added it was the hardest thing he's ever had to do.

Addison will also be remembered as “the bright spot in her mother's life. She made her laugh and made her cry, but there was no greater gift than her beautiful smile and striking blue eyes,” according to her obituary.

From an early age, Addison became involved with Five Cities Softball, and played on many all-star and club teams throughout the state and in Hawaii. She also played volleyball and basketball in junior high and began surfing in high school.

“She talked to every single person,” said Kathryn Liebo, who knew Addison through mutual school friends. “She was really cute, funny and friendly.”

A memorial fund has been set up in Addison's name at Washington Mutual bank. Donations will be accepted at any branch.

July 22, 2008