Name in religion, Sister Luc-Gabrielle; born c. 1933; committed suicide,
c. March 31 in
1985, in Wavre, Belgium. Nun,
singer, administrator, and songwriter. Deckers gained
international fame in 1963 with her
hit recording "Dominique." She was a novice in the
Dominican convent of Fichermont in
Belgium when she was asked to record her song,
which became a number-one hit on
the U.S. pop music charts, sold millions of copies
world-wide, and earned Decker a
1963 National Academy of Recording Arts and
Sciences Award for best gospel or
other religious recording. Following the success of
"Dominique," Deckers--noted for her
high, pure voice--recorded several other songs
using such names as The Singing
Nun, Soeur Sourire, and Sister Smile. She left the
convent in 1966 to pursue her
singing career and to "be closer to the people." Her
success, however, did not continue,
and she began giving private lessons in painting
and guitar. Deckers later operated
an institute for autistic children, but this project met
with financial difficulties.
Depressed, in part by the fate of her children's home, she
committed suicide with a friend by
taking an overdose of sedatives.
Jerry
