Mary Backlund

BACKLUND, Mary Bell November 23, 1916 - September 25, 2009 Mary Bell, age 92, peacefully passed away on September 25, 2009. She was a beautiful, vibrant presence in our lives and will be greatly missed. She was born in Clarkston, WA and attended Lewiston High School. A beautiful woman, she was the Cherry Blossom Queen in Lewiston, ID in her teens. She graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.A. in EnglishLiterature, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Later in life, she served as a College District President for the sorority. She moved to Spokane and married Fred W. Backlund in 1950, where her employersincluded Playfair Racetrack and School District 81. Mary Bell and Fred were active members of the Quarterly Dance Club and loved jazz music, entertaining and traveling the world. She had a strong faith in the Lord and was a member of Manito Presbyterian Church. Mary Bell and Fred maintained homes in Honolulu, HI, on Coeur d'Alene Lake and Spokane. Her love ofHawaii and the friends she made there was a constant source of joy to her. She had a lifelong love of animals and had many pets throughout her life. We will hold in our hearts forever the sparkle in her eyes, the warmth of her smile and the love in her heart. Mary Bell is survived by her loving husband, Fred Backlund; her sons, Lee Backlund, Drew Backlund and Steve Backlund, all of Spokane; her daughter, Claudia Morehead of Newport Beach, CA; grandchildren, Heather, Bruce, Brian, Andy, Alex, Daniel, Max and Mariel and great-grandchildren, Tristyn, Mason, Alexa and Blaise. She was preceded in death by her parents, Claude and May Bennett. A celebration of her life will be held Monday, November 23, 2009 at 4:00 PM at the Spokane Club, 1022 W. Riverside. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, 1004 E. 8th Ave., Spokane, 99202 or Manito Presbyterian Church, 401 E. 30th Ave., Spokane, 99203. Please visit Mary Bell's memorial and leave a condolence at www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements entrusted to