We're fundraising for Susie Backlund and countless others affected by Alz
Huge gratitude for your support of my Mom's team! This was and is her via her obituary in 2020:Susan “Susie” Backlund, 68, of Kingsford passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 17, at Evergreen Assisted Living Center. Her passing marked the end of a 15-year struggle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease.
Susie was born in Iron Mountain on November 14, 1951, the daughter of Robert and Shirley (Johnson) Menghini. She graduated from Kingsford High School in 1969 and attended Central Michigan University and Northern Michigan University, earning a Master's Degree. She married Wayne Backlund on December 28, 1974 at the St. Mary Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Kingsford. She gave birth to her only child, Robert, on April 22, 1982. Susie was an elementary educator for over three decades, devoting her energy and expertise to the most vulnerable students. She spent the majority of her career in the Homer (Michigan) Community Schools, retiring in June of 2006. A former student summed up Susie’s professional, personal and pedagogical prowess the best:
“Mrs. Backlund has helped me with my disability and I know I wouldn’t be who I am today without her assistance. She was my most influential teacher and my goal is to become a social worker where I can help kids the same way that Mrs. Backlund helped me…because if it wasn’t for her I would have failed at a lot of things.”
Susie lived life with passion, zest and a personality that was infectious. She loved her family and had an uncanny ability to humbly boast about them. She loved to shop and was known to travel far and wide in search of sales and antique treasures. Her laugh was contagious. She was creative and had a knack for seasonal decorating that could make Martha Stewart jealous. She was stubborn and one knew where she stood on an issue. She loved to ski. Susie was a paragon for living life with gratitude, often reminding her family of how “lucky” they were. Manners mattered. “Please” and “thank you” were foundational to her vocabulary. Family consensus was that she might have been wrong once; however, this will need to be confirmed or debated with her at a later date. Even in the face of a terminal illness she demonstrated the utmost courage to live, love, laugh and navigate the unknown darkness with kindness and light.
The Backlunds want to extend their deepest gratitude to family, friends and community members who helped them navigate the challenges of Alzheimer’s Disease. No gesture of support, help and kindness went unnoticed over the years. We especially want to extend our appreciation to our heroes and Susie’s “angels” at Evergreen Assisted Living Center for taking care of any and all of her needs day in and out over the last few years. Your tireless efforts helped provide solace for a family trying to manage complicated loss and grief.
In lieu of flowers, Susie’s family requests that you consider carrying out the following actions with her spirit and passion for life in mind:
Being kinder than necessary to ALL – even if your political views differ (imagine that)
A phone call to a family member or friend
Voting for elected leaders who support public schools, teachers and equitable education for all students, especially those with special needs
Reaching out to a family that is facing Alzheimer’s Disease or another neuro-degenerative disorder and asking not “if” they need help, but “how” you can help.
Thank you to our Sponsors
$10k
Redmond Family
$500
Carol Rhees
Jenny, this is a cause close to my heart. I wish you could have known my mother. You would have loved her. I am so proud of all you do. Lots love love and good luck!
$300
Janet Lawson
You go girl!!!!!!!❤️❤️
$250
Nancy Sommers
Thank you, Liza, for raising funds to support the Alzheimer's Association.
$250
Andy Woodward
Love you Rob. Thanks for putting in the good work.
$250
Christopher Ahern
$200
Anonymous
$150
Alan Ricks
$150
Wayne Backlund
Proud of you son! Ski on!
$100
Kevin Mcclain
$100
Lorni Cochran
$100
Dean And Su
Your mom would be so proud of you Rob. Have a great “ski”
$100
Jock Cochran
$100
Jock Cochran
$100
Darcey Brown
Go Liza and Jenny!
$100
Barbara And Jim Mingle
$100
Dudley’s
$100
Sarah & Owen
$100
Rebecca Turner
Very proud of your long standing commitment to ending ALZ. Cheers to our moms - always remembered. 💜
$100
Jess Bloomer
Go Jenny and Lize! Grateful for all your efforts to support this deeply meaningful cause. xox
$100
Amie Lawson
Good luck you guys! Thank you for doing this!
$100
Cassie & Rick Thomson
$100
Katie Manaras
$100
Peg & Bill Schmidt
We Miss Your Dear Mom!
$100
Phil Armstrong
$100
Lolly Cochran
Best of luck! What a great thing to do together!
$100
Kate Maurer
Love you Jenny and Liza! Will join you in ski spirit!
$100
Kate Maurer
Go Liza and Jenny! Thanks for your efforts and work!
$100
Robert Backlund
$100
Bar Cocherell
Good Luck Team!!!
$100
Sheila Urmston
Such a worthy cause! Good luck, Liza & Jenny and Thank You!!
$100
Abraham Landau
$75
Lilly Hamilton
Go Lize and Jenny, Go!
$75
Anonymous
$74
Jeff Cox
$65
David Cashman
$50
Jodi Brown
$50
Katherine Howard
$50
Mike &terry
$50
Patty Schoenhuber
$50
Christina Mingle Keller
Go, Liza & Jenny!
$50
Spragues
$50
Dcb
Big hugs and lots of love!
$50
Ron & Ann
$50
James Warnock
$50
Aaron And Leah Nydam
$50
Charla Brown
Allez! Allez! Allez!
$50
Davis Matthew
Go Rob!
$50
Rob Burnett
A fun adventure while doing good! Bravo Liza!
$50
Alex Swartout
$50
Laura Tilghman
Love you all, and so glad to contribute to this cause!
$50
Ian Stewart
$50
Theodore Love
$50
Peter Kernan
Baby’s got Backlund! Keep up the good work!
$50
Josh Petty
Have so many fond memories of Susie! Love you, Rob!
$50
Lindsey, Johnny, Anna And Charlotte Thompson ❤️
Miss you and your family! Hugs!!❤️
$50
Clare
$50
Maryclaire
Sending love! What a great snow year for it. Say hi to Liza.
$50
Bill And Barb Menghini
Be safe!
$50
Lindsay Soares White
$50
Lindsay Soares White
$50
Mihaly Strauss Family
$50
Jim & Claire Hammer
Seeing Susie’s face brings a smile to mine. Yours too Rob!!
$50
Wendy And Steve Kilgren
We had the most amazing times with Suzie!! We sure miss her!!
$50
Schook
Enjoy the ski!
$50
Janet Finnigan
$38
The Niles Family
Go Uncle Rob!!! We hope you have a great Ski George and Jack
$35
Tim Barker
$35
Jonathan Gray
#2 hope all is well. -JG
$35
Lisa Grzyb
Gooooo Liza and Jenny!
$35
Heather Kidde
Go Jenny!!
$35
Brown Albert
$35
Jim Backlund
$25
Liza Cochran
$25
Anonymous
Good luck Jenny!
$5
Tim Barker
$5
Christopher Ahern
$5
Liza Cochran
$5
Jenny Bates
$5
Jenny Bates
$5
