Jacqueline Backes

Jacqueline Backes, a culinary maestro who seasoned her life with laughter and love as effortlessly as she did her signature dishes, has taken her final bow on the great stage of life. Born on November 12, 1973, in the bustling town of Pontiac, Michigan, Jacqueline's zest for life was evident from the start. She danced her way into the hearts of many, leaving us with full bellies and even fuller hearts on July 29, 2024, in the serene town of Metamora, Michigan.
With a career that spanned over 35 years in the food industry, Jacqueline was a familiar face at the White Horse Inn in Metamora, where she served as a chief for 5 years. Her culinary creations were not just meals; they were edible stand-up routines that brought joy to all who had the pleasure of tasting them. She was a maestro of the kitchen, a conductor of flavors, and a comedian with a spatula.
Jacqueline's life was a recipe that included generous helpings of love, a heaping spoonful of courage, and endless dashes of humor. She was the embodiment of the saying, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen," but the truth was, Jacqueline not only stood the heat, she turned it into a warm embrace that reached far beyond the kitchen doors.
Her children, Thomas Valderas and Chloe McPeak, were the apples of her eye, the crème de la crème of her life's work. Her mother, Teresa Bailey, and siblings, Michael Backes and Amber DeClercq, were the sous-chefs in her life's kitchen, supporting and embellishing her every endeavor. Jacqueline was preceded in death by her grandparents, Laurance & Dorthy Samson, who undoubtedly instilled in her the secret ingredient of life: love.
Jacqueline's interests were as varied as her menu options. She was a maestro of the airwaves, a green-thumbed gardener, a purveyor of punchlines, and a diva of dance and song. To say she lived life to the fullest would be an understatement; she lived life to the funniest, with every day serving as an encore performance that left the audience wanting more.
To know Jacqueline was to know love in its purest form-unconditional and all-encompassing. She was the life of every party, the soul of every gathering, and the laughter in every moment. Her legacy is not just in the recipes she leaves behind but in the countless memories that will continue to simmer in the hearts of all who loved her.
So, let's raise a toast to Jacqueline Backes, a woman who showed us that life, like a good meal, is best enjoyed with a sprinkle of humor, a dash of daring, and a whole lot of love. Bon appétit, Jacqueline, your spirit will forever be the secret ingredient in our lives.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at later date. Memorial contributions in honor of Jacqueline can be made to the family. Arrangements entrusted to Jansen Family Funeral Home - Columbiaville. Share memories, condolences, and pictures with the family at www.jansenfuneralhome.com.