Robert Backlund

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.