Mary E. Backus, 75, of Sidney Center passed away unexpectedly on Sunday evening, May 3, 2015 at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown.

Mary was born on September 10, 1939 at the family farm house on Herrick Hollow Road in the town of Tompkins. The daughter of the late Raymond and Julia (Van Aken) Griffin. She attended the one room school house in Trout Creek for 6 years, then went to Deposit for 3 years. She then transferred to Walton Central School graduating with the Class of 1957 which was held at the Walton Theatre. Upon graduating she attended Austin Beauty School in Albany, however, was called home due to family illness to help with the family farm.

On August 3, 1958 she married Lloyd Backus and had 4 children. Mary and Lloyd provided a loving home for their children. As well as a few extras, Cindy Howe Jump, Patrie Backus and Margaret Smith. For a few summers she also was mother to Tawana Gaines, a young child from New York City. Mary was always active in extra fund raisers for the Trout Creek Vol. Fire Co and Ladies Auxiliary in which she was a charter member. She started the Trout Creek Christmas Club in 1982 which remains until the present and she held meetings for the Cub Scouts and made many projects with them. Mary and her friend, Jean Seaman started the Trout Creek Girls Club which gave way for many skating trips as well as many outings with thirty two members.

Mary was a former Real Estate Broker, nurse's aid at DVH, she wrote the Trout Creek News for the Walton Reporter for several years and a wonderful Wife, Mom, Grandma and Great Grandma.

She is survived by her loving family, her husband, Lloyd Backus, her children, Pamela Lakin (Tim Gardepe), Sam and Tania Backus, Patricia and Ronald Gardepe, and Peggy Lou Backus (Russell Sprague) her grandchildren, Matthew and Jessica Lakin, Dexter Backus, Daniel and Robert Gardepe, Nathaniel Gardepe, and Mallory Rai Sprague, Austin Gardepe, Tyler and Logan Knapp her great grandchildren, Aubree Gardepe and Emmett Murray, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her sister Helen Stafford and brother David Griffin

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 11:00AM at the Carroll Cemetery in Trout Creek, NY with the Rev. David Gatje, officiating. A gathering will follow after the service at the Trout Creek Fire Department. Arrangements are with Courtney Funeral home, Walton.

Memorial Contributions in Mary's memory may be made to Trout Creek EMS, 8695 County Highway 27, Trout Creek, New York 13847.