Mary Ann (O’Keefe) Backenson, most recently of The Woodlands, Texas, passed away on March 18, 2022. Mary Ann was born on June 8, 1943 in Camden, New Jersey, and spent most of her life in South Jersey, raising her family in Stratford, before moving to Texas to enjoy retirement and be near her grandchildren.
Mary Ann was always an advocate for children, particularly children with special needs. She taught special education in New Jersey for more than 15 years, teaching life skills in such a way that many of her students continued to stay connected with her throughout their adult lives. But Mary Ann was most passionate about her family, strongly supporting her children through every practice or game, every play or musical, every fundraiser or charity event. She could always be heard in the crowd, cheering loudly for everyone, but particularly for her kids and grandkids. She always expected everyone to try their best, and not let others down. She was demanding, but everyone always knew that it was being done out of love, and pushing them to be better human beings.
Wherever Mary Ann was, it was the place to be. She was a larger-than-life presence with a great sense of humor, always welcoming family or friends to her house, to her pool, to have a meal or a drink. Anyone who was in her company knew that they were in a caring and loving place.
Mary Ann is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Peter Backenson. She is also survived by her children Bryon (Kathy) of Clifton Park, New York, Mary Kate (Bill) Groel of The Woodlands, Texas, Tom (Brooke) of Columbus, Georgia, and Jim of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and her grandchildren Connor, Carson, and Clancy Groel, and Henry and Benjamin Backenson. She is also survived by her brother Marty O’Keefe and her sister Kay O’Keefe. She was pre-deceased by her son Robby Backenson, and her brothers Bobby and Dicky O’Keefe.
A funeral service for Mary Ann will be held Friday, March 25, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Metcalf Funeral Directors, 1801 E. White Oak Terrace, Conroe, Texas 77301. This service will be live-streamed. You can find the link on this page under “Upcoming Services.”
For those wishing to honor Mary Ann, donations may be made in her honor to the United Leukodystrophy Foundation, to support their work with families impacted by adrenoleukodystrophy. Please visit https://ulf.org for more information. A direct link is also found below on this page.
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