Mary Elaine Backous

Mary Backous, our mother, Nana, “Mother Mary” and the Down Under Diva, passed away peacefully on the morning of February 23, 2017. She was 85 years old. She remained brilliant, clear, and strong in her views throughout all her days. Prior to her passing, Mary was surrounded by love from three generations of family and countless friends. Mary was a “force of nature” who shared time with her family, friends and professional connections. Many have commented how warm and welcoming Mom was and how easy it was to be welcomed as a “member of her family.” She always had room for everybody. Mary’s careers included full-time mother, community advocate, founding church secretary at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, school secretary at St. Leo’s Catholic School, soccer publicist for Lakewood Soccer Club, Tacoma Pierce County Youth Soccer and the Washington State Youth Soccer Associations where she published internationally in Soccer Corner Magazine on the history of the Lakewood Soccer Club 5-A-Side tournament. Mary then went on to host the weekly “Lakewood AM” radio talk show for KLAY 1080 AM before returning to school to begin a more than 20-year career as a three-time Opal Excellence award winning Aussie Premier Travel Specialist and the DownUnderDiva.com. She was proud to be a “Rescue Ranger” from the Australia Zoo. She remained an active and supportive member of the Lakewood Chamber of Commerce to the very end; she would only buy something from a Chamber member if there was any choice. Mary was born in Brooklyn, and raised to her late teens in Long Island, New York, before the family moved to Richmond, California. Following her graduation from Armstrong Business School, Mary began working for the U.S. Army in Oakland, California, where she met Henry W. “Hank” Backous. Mary Elaine Ferguson and Henry W. Backous married on February 3, 1952 at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Richmond, California, and remained together for 62 years. Mary and Hank traveled the globe with the U.S. Army before settling in Lakewood, Washington, where they built their home on Dresden Lane SW. This was their home and hub for all family activity for the Backous family for 58 years. Mary is survived by her sister, Barbara Britton of Pleasant Hills, California; five of her six children, Bill Backous and partner Elena Alarcon, Bill’s former wife Kathleen Backous, Marrianne and partner Stephen Brklycicia, Caroline and husband Gary Goodrich, Douglas and his wife Julia Backous, Chris Backous and partner Nick Nowicki; seven grandchildren, Eric (son of Bill and Kathleen) and wife Natalie Backous, Jameson Backous (son of Bill and Kathleen), Sarah Hodge (daughter of Irene and former husband Steven Hodge), Kyle (son of Bill and Kathleen) and wife Courtney Backous, Taylor Backous (son of Doug and Julie), Jonathan Backous (son of Doug and Julie), Lindsey Backous (daughter of Doug and Julie); and two great-grandsons, Russell William Backous (Eric and Natalie Backous) and Wyatt Henry Backous (Kyle and Courtney Backous). Her life-long Catholic faith, a commitment to both her Turkish and Scottish heritages, love of family and friends—of the human, furry and feathered kind, sustained her until the very end. Mary will rejoin her husband, Hank; her parents, William Chester and Mary Matilda Ferguson; brother, Chester Clement Ferguson; sister, Carole Ann Ferguson; daughter, Irene Elaine Hodge; and many dear friends and family, including her dearest friend, Mary Stockard. Mary’s family would like to extend a special gratitude to the loving caregivers at RooLan Healthcare in Lacey, Washington, for making her last days, great days. Please leave memories of Mary or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.