Shirley Backus

Corvallis

April 14, 1930 — June 1, 2016

Shirley Aline Riley Backus, a lifetime resident of Seaside and recently residing at Regent Court Memory Care Center in Corvallis, Oregon, passed away on June 1 at the age of 86.

She was born on April 14, 1930, in Oakland, California, the daughter of the late Edward R. Riley and Geneva Duncan Riley of Seaside, Oregon. She is survived by her husband, Gouverneur “Chuck” Backus of Seaside, Oregon; two sons, Guy E. Backus of Salem, Oregon, and Charles S. Backus of Seaside, Oregon; and one daughter, Tara B. Ruth and her husband, Dennis, of Corvallis, Oregon.

She attended Seaside Union High School. She met Chuck when he was stationed at the Naval Station Tongue Point, Astoria. They married on Dec. 25, 1948, in Medford, Oregon, and were wed for over 67 years. She was a resilient Navy wife and mother, enduring numerous separations and several household relocations that included a period of living in Japan at the Yokosuka Naval Base.

In 1965, the family settled in Seaside. She worked at Fort Stevens State Park, and then helped build and operate their family-owned kennel boarding business on U.S. Highway 101 for many years. She also worked part time in the cafeterias at Seaside High and Middle schools. She was a member of the Seaside Moose and Seaside American Legion Post 99 Ladies Auxiliary, and held numerous positions in each organization.

She was the oldest of seven children, and was preceded in death by her brother, Edward C. Riley Jr.; and her sisters, Donna Jean, Edith Ceita, Mary Louise and Frances Ellen Riley, who were tragically killed in a house fire in 1945 in Seaside

She is survived by her brother, and sole surviving family member, John C. Riley of Portland, Oregon; and three cousins, nieces and nephews. Surviving grandchildren are Becky L. Hagan of Weiser, Idaho; Charles E. Backus and his wife, Stephanie of New Plymouth, Idaho; Melissa A. Barnes and her husband, William, of Lincoln City, Oregon; Jessica M. Martin and her husband, Jeffery, of Phoenix, Arizona; and Karen Dow and her husband, Justin, of Portland, Oregon. Her seven great-grandchildren are Chelsie Backus, Cameron M. Pierce, Jasmine E. Hust, Alexandria L. Martin, Liam O. Barnes, Reagan K. Dow, and Kevin C. Dow. Her great-grandson, Erik M. Martin, preceded her in death.

She enjoyed craft and sewing activities, gardening, square dancing, reading, playing cards and board games. Although dementia suppressed remembrances of many events of her lifetime the past few years, there was still clarity of special events and people that she would readily talk about.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Oregon, 1650 N.W. Naito Parkway, Suite 190, Portland, OR 97209, or to Moose Charities, 155 S. International Drive, Mooseheart, IL 60539.

There will be no service, and burial will be at the convenience of the family. Hughes-Ransom Mortuary & Crematory in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements.