In Memory of Joan M. Backman

Obituary

Joan M. Backman, 74, went home to the Lord on September 9, surrounded by an army of angels, and her daughter bedside.

Joan shared over four decades with her “MetLife peeps”, and treasured the many friendships made there. Despite working full time, her purest form of joy was cleaning; nothing was off-limits, not even the family dog, who rolled right onto her back to be vacuumed. Every ounce of her happiness came from seeing the people she loved enjoying life. Mom, Duma B, Joanie — whatever name any one of us called you — we all hope you are now enjoying your eternal life, in the most pristine surroundings.

She leaves her cherished daughter, Bonnie (Kevin), “the apple of her eye”, her adored grandson, Dylan, and her sister, Nancy(Leo).

She also leaves her beloved partner of 38 years, Tom, and his sons/daughter-in-laws, Tommy(Maribeth), Mike(Pam), and Diane, and all of their children, all of whom she loved as if they were her own.

She was preceded in death by her father, Robert, her mother, Kathleen “Kay”, whom she called every night at 7:00pm until her passing at 92 years of age, Matt, and Wayne aka “her protector”.

Our family is beyond grateful for all of the “Angels with Feet” on 5 West at Wynn Hospital. You were sent to us at the very moment we needed you most. We would also like to thank the Abraham House in Rome for their wonderful love and care. We wish all of you could have known her under different circumstances, it would have been a mutual appreciation.

Joan’s strong Catholic faith was instilled by her Mom, “Kay”, who once explained to her young granddaughter that while a person’s body might be buried in a cemetery, their soul was in Heaven, resulting in an often-told family anecdote, when a maybe three-year-old Bonnie asked “you mean they took her apart?” Well, Mom, I now know why He has to take you apart. It’s the only way so many pieces of you can be carried in our hearts forever.

The funeral will be on Friday, September 18, at 10:00 am at the Mary, Mother of Our Savior Parish, Genesee St., Utica, where a Funeral Mass will be Celebrated.  Interment will be in St Joseph’s Cemetery.  Calling hours will be Thursday, September 17, from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either the American Cancer Society, or the Abraham House.

For online expressions of sympathy go to fwefh.com.