Barbara T. Backus

Born in West Haven, CT, a daughter of the late John J. and Evelyn Marie (LaChance) McCarthy, Barbara spent her early years in Fall River, graduating from B.M.C. Durfee High School in 1943. She met and married her husband, Walter A. Backus, and together they lived in Manchester, CT for over 50 years where they raised their family. She returned to the Somerset area in 2010 to be near her daughters.

Mrs. Backus was an active homemaker who was very involved in the Manchester community. She was on the Women’s Auxiliary of both Manchester Memorial Hospital and the Army/Navy Club, was instrumental in starting the Library at St. Bridget’s School, and was a longtime member of the Manchester Historical Society. She was a member and officer of the Manchester Emblem Club and Past Treasurer and Board Member of the Lithuanian Co-Op Association, for whom she ran bi-monthly bus trips to Foxwoods. She was one of the original members of the Manchester Senior Center Golf League, golfing 2 days a week at the Manchester Country Club and Skungamaug River Golf Club in Coventry, CT. She was an avid Bridge and Bingo player, and belonged to three Setback Leagues - Army/Navy, Elks and VFW, all in Manchester. She also played in a Bocce League and bowled with the Spice and Perfume Leagues at the Holiday Lanes in Manchester. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting and crafting, and was a member of the Coffee Klatchers as well as a voracious reader. She and her husband travelled cross country three times and were proud to have visited every state in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii. They also visited many European countries as well.

Survivors include 2 Daughters: Barbara A. Pitera and Patricia A. Backus (husband David M. Heroux) both of Somerset, MA; 2 Sons: Charles E. Backus and Walter M. Backus, both of Garden Grove, CA; 1 Sister: Veronica Doody (husband Vaughn) of Las Vegas, NV; Grandmother to Stacy Vinciguerra, Barbara L. Vieira, William M. & Adam W. Backus and Great Grandmother to Caitlin Marie Venancio and Bristol Lynn Vieira, with one more on the way shortly. Sister-in-Law of Mary McCarthy of Hartford, CT and Katherine McCarthy of Venice, CA; Mother-in-Law of Joseph J. Pitera Jr. of Fall River. She was also sister of the late John C., Francis “Bud”, and Charles "Mac" McCarthy and mother-in-law of the late Stacy Backus.

Her visiting hours will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015 from 4-7 pm at the WARING-SULLIVAN HOME OF MEMORIAL TRIBUTE AT BIRCHCREST, 189 Gardners Neck Rd., Swansea, MA. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 16, 2015 at 10 am in Saint Bridget Church, 80 Main St, Manchester, CT followed by burial in St. James Cemetery, Manchester.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Clifton Assisted Living and Clifton Skilled Nursing Center, specifically the staff of 2 East. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Barbara Pitera Nursing Alumnae Scholarship Fund at Diman Regional School of Practical Nursing, 251 Stonehaven Rd., Fall River, MA 02723.