Obituary of Marjorie Ann Backer

Marjorie Ann Backer Penn Yan: Marjorie Ann Backer, age 74, of Penn Yan, formerly of Kanona, and Dundee, NY passed away on Sunday October 9, 2016 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, in Penn Yan, NY. Honoring her wishes there are no prior calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday (Oct. 22) at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1600 State Route 54, Penn Yan, NY, with Ron Stanley officiating. Those wishing may make memorial contributions in her memory to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1600 State Route 54, Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527 or to the charity of the donor's choice. Marjorie was born August 1, 1942 in South Berwick, Maine, the only daughter of Stephen T. and Dorothy Ann Potter Kelley. She graduated from Fitch High School in Groton, CT in 1960. On Dec. 1, 1962 in Noank, CT she married Donald L. Backer. Moving to Dundee and raising her family, before returning to Connecticut, and later Red Bank, NJ. Marjorie worked in the vineyards around Dundee, and also for Dr. Schirmer's dentist office before entering the food service profession at the Dundee Central School cafeteria, and then for various McDonalds, retiring from there in Red Bank, N.J.; returning to the Finger Lakes Region of NY in 2007. Mrs. Backer was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses; she enjoyed all time spent in the kitchen, baking her delicious homemade bread, as well as making crafts, knitting, and quilting. She is loved and will be dearly missed by 2 daughters Lee Ann (Eric) Johnson of Oakdale, CT, Deborah R. "Debi" Backer of Bath, NY; a son Scott A. (Suzanne) Backer of Dundee, NY; 15 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; a brother Bertram E. Kelley of Mystic, CT; the father of her children Donald L. Backer of Kanona, NY; her best friend Georgia Mulley of Penn Yan; several nieces and nephews; and "Her Youngest Baby" Emily. Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by a son Richard A. Backer in 1986, and a brother Theodore T. Kelley in 2001. Arrangements were entrusted to the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee. Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.