Elizabeth Caster McCarthy Backe
Died at home.
Daughter of Jesse and Ione Tribbett Caster.
First married James L. McCathy.
Later married Donald F. Backe. He preceded her in death in 2011.
Survivors include children James L. McCarthy III, Ruth Adams de Torrijos, Charles R., William F., Richard M., Martin K. and Brian C. McCarthy; step-children, Mary Therese Dalton, Ruth Mores, Tom Backe, Paul Backe, Joan Backe-Kuhl, Jim (Betsy) Backe, John Backe and Helen Backe; 24 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and 22 great-and step-great grandchildren.
She was also predeceased by brother Abraham; and sisters Carolyn Spurgeon and Martha Jean Hoaglin; her former husband, James L. McCarthy; and an infant daughter Rosemary.
Attended Shannondale Elementary School.
1937 graduate of Crawfordsville High School.
1941 graduate of the University of Michigan with a speech and communication major.
Completed her teaching certification in 1965 at Indiana State.
As Mrs. McCarthy she taught at St. Bernard's and New Market Elementary for 20 years and then 5 years a substitute teacher. She also tutored special needs students.
She was a member and former board member of the Montgomery County Historical Society for over 50 years, serving as secretary, vice president and president. An active member of the Gamma Xi chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority since 1951, she held every officer position and served as geranium committee chairwoman and was their top annual fundraiser for their local speech and hearing clinic.
She was a member of St. Bernard's parish for nearly 75 years and received their Certificate of Merit in 1999. She directed the Elizabeth Ministry for many years, visiting new parish mothers and babies at home for welcoming and counseling. For more than 30 years she was a volunteer and local parish coordinator for their Meals on Wheels efforts. She was a longstanding active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Byron Cox Post in Crawfordsville, serving as president from 1955-56. She was a volunteer and fundraiser for the local March of Dimes Mothers March, a tour guide/leader at Lane Place and a Chairwoman of the Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes.
She was the recipient of many awards for her volunteerism including the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Kernan in 2004, the Montgomery County Historical Society Special Service Award in 1999 and the Montgomery County Citizen of the Year by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. She was named Psi Ote of the Year, a national award given by the Psi Iota Xi sorority, in 2001.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband Don. She was also a proud supporter of the Michigan Wolverines and a devoted Michigan football fan. She steadfastly supported the Chicago Cubs and spent many an hour watching her beloved "Cubbies" as they often struggled through their season.
Funeral Mass 10am Tuesday, August 11 at St Bernard Catholic Church with Father Christopher Shocklee officiating.
Visitation 4-8pm Monday at the church with a rosary service.
Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Historical Society or the Elizabeth Backe Scholarship Fund, Gamma Psi Chapter, Psi Iota Psi.
Hunt and Son Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Died at home.
Daughter of Jesse and Ione Tribbett Caster.
First married James L. McCathy.
Later married Donald F. Backe. He preceded her in death in 2011.
Survivors include children James L. McCarthy III, Ruth Adams de Torrijos, Charles R., William F., Richard M., Martin K. and Brian C. McCarthy; step-children, Mary Therese Dalton, Ruth Mores, Tom Backe, Paul Backe, Joan Backe-Kuhl, Jim (Betsy) Backe, John Backe and Helen Backe; 24 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and 22 great-and step-great grandchildren.
She was also predeceased by brother Abraham; and sisters Carolyn Spurgeon and Martha Jean Hoaglin; her former husband, James L. McCarthy; and an infant daughter Rosemary.
Attended Shannondale Elementary School.
1937 graduate of Crawfordsville High School.
1941 graduate of the University of Michigan with a speech and communication major.
Completed her teaching certification in 1965 at Indiana State.
As Mrs. McCarthy she taught at St. Bernard's and New Market Elementary for 20 years and then 5 years a substitute teacher. She also tutored special needs students.
She was a member and former board member of the Montgomery County Historical Society for over 50 years, serving as secretary, vice president and president. An active member of the Gamma Xi chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority since 1951, she held every officer position and served as geranium committee chairwoman and was their top annual fundraiser for their local speech and hearing clinic.
She was a member of St. Bernard's parish for nearly 75 years and received their Certificate of Merit in 1999. She directed the Elizabeth Ministry for many years, visiting new parish mothers and babies at home for welcoming and counseling. For more than 30 years she was a volunteer and local parish coordinator for their Meals on Wheels efforts. She was a longstanding active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Byron Cox Post in Crawfordsville, serving as president from 1955-56. She was a volunteer and fundraiser for the local March of Dimes Mothers March, a tour guide/leader at Lane Place and a Chairwoman of the Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes.
She was the recipient of many awards for her volunteerism including the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Kernan in 2004, the Montgomery County Historical Society Special Service Award in 1999 and the Montgomery County Citizen of the Year by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. She was named Psi Ote of the Year, a national award given by the Psi Iota Xi sorority, in 2001.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband Don. She was also a proud supporter of the Michigan Wolverines and a devoted Michigan football fan. She steadfastly supported the Chicago Cubs and spent many an hour watching her beloved "Cubbies" as they often struggled through their season.
Funeral Mass 10am Tuesday, August 11 at St Bernard Catholic Church with Father Christopher Shocklee officiating.
Visitation 4-8pm Monday at the church with a rosary service.
Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Historical Society or the Elizabeth Backe Scholarship Fund, Gamma Psi Chapter, Psi Iota Psi.
Hunt and Son Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Elizabeth Caster McCarthy Backe
Died at home.
Daughter of Jesse and Ione Tribbett Caster.
First married James L. McCathy.
Later married Donald F. Backe. He preceded her in death in 2011.
Survivors include children James L. McCarthy III, Ruth Adams de Torrijos, Charles R., William F., Richard M., Martin K. and Brian C. McCarthy; step-children, Mary Therese Dalton, Ruth Mores, Tom Backe, Paul Backe, Joan Backe-Kuhl, Jim (Betsy) Backe, John Backe and Helen Backe; 24 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and 22 great-and step-great grandchildren.
She was also predeceased by brother Abraham; and sisters Carolyn Spurgeon and Martha Jean Hoaglin; her former husband, James L. McCarthy; and an infant daughter Rosemary.
Attended Shannondale Elementary School.
1937 graduate of Crawfordsville High School.
1941 graduate of the University of Michigan with a speech and communication major.
Completed her teaching certification in 1965 at Indiana State.
As Mrs. McCarthy she taught at St. Bernard's and New Market Elementary for 20 years and then 5 years a substitute teacher. She also tutored special needs students.
She was a member and former board member of the Montgomery County Historical Society for over 50 years, serving as secretary, vice president and president. An active member of the Gamma Xi chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority since 1951, she held every officer position and served as geranium committee chairwoman and was their top annual fundraiser for their local speech and hearing clinic.
She was a member of St. Bernard's parish for nearly 75 years and received their Certificate of Merit in 1999. She directed the Elizabeth Ministry for many years, visiting new parish mothers and babies at home for welcoming and counseling. For more than 30 years she was a volunteer and local parish coordinator for their Meals on Wheels efforts. She was a longstanding active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Byron Cox Post in Crawfordsville, serving as president from 1955-56. She was a volunteer and fundraiser for the local March of Dimes Mothers March, a tour guide/leader at Lane Place and a Chairwoman of the Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes.
She was the recipient of many awards for her volunteerism including the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Kernan in 2004, the Montgomery County Historical Society Special Service Award in 1999 and the Montgomery County Citizen of the Year by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. She was named Psi Ote of the Year, a national award given by the Psi Iota Xi sorority, in 2001.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband Don. She was also a proud supporter of the Michigan Wolverines and a devoted Michigan football fan. She steadfastly supported the Chicago Cubs and spent many an hour watching her beloved "Cubbies" as they often struggled through their season.
Funeral Mass 10am Tuesday, August 11 at St Bernard Catholic Church with Father Christopher Shocklee officiating.
Visitation 4-8pm Monday at the church with a rosary service.
Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Historical Society or the Elizabeth Backe Scholarship Fund, Gamma Psi Chapter, Psi Iota Psi.
Hunt and Son Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
Died at home.
Daughter of Jesse and Ione Tribbett Caster.
First married James L. McCathy.
Later married Donald F. Backe. He preceded her in death in 2011.
Survivors include children James L. McCarthy III, Ruth Adams de Torrijos, Charles R., William F., Richard M., Martin K. and Brian C. McCarthy; step-children, Mary Therese Dalton, Ruth Mores, Tom Backe, Paul Backe, Joan Backe-Kuhl, Jim (Betsy) Backe, John Backe and Helen Backe; 24 grandchildren and step-grandchildren and 22 great-and step-great grandchildren.
She was also predeceased by brother Abraham; and sisters Carolyn Spurgeon and Martha Jean Hoaglin; her former husband, James L. McCarthy; and an infant daughter Rosemary.
Attended Shannondale Elementary School.
1937 graduate of Crawfordsville High School.
1941 graduate of the University of Michigan with a speech and communication major.
Completed her teaching certification in 1965 at Indiana State.
As Mrs. McCarthy she taught at St. Bernard's and New Market Elementary for 20 years and then 5 years a substitute teacher. She also tutored special needs students.
She was a member and former board member of the Montgomery County Historical Society for over 50 years, serving as secretary, vice president and president. An active member of the Gamma Xi chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority since 1951, she held every officer position and served as geranium committee chairwoman and was their top annual fundraiser for their local speech and hearing clinic.
She was a member of St. Bernard's parish for nearly 75 years and received their Certificate of Merit in 1999. She directed the Elizabeth Ministry for many years, visiting new parish mothers and babies at home for welcoming and counseling. For more than 30 years she was a volunteer and local parish coordinator for their Meals on Wheels efforts. She was a longstanding active member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Byron Cox Post in Crawfordsville, serving as president from 1955-56. She was a volunteer and fundraiser for the local March of Dimes Mothers March, a tour guide/leader at Lane Place and a Chairwoman of the Candlelight Christmas Tour of Homes.
She was the recipient of many awards for her volunteerism including the Sagamore of the Wabash award from Governor Kernan in 2004, the Montgomery County Historical Society Special Service Award in 1999 and the Montgomery County Citizen of the Year by the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. She was named Psi Ote of the Year, a national award given by the Psi Iota Xi sorority, in 2001.
She enjoyed traveling with her husband Don. She was also a proud supporter of the Michigan Wolverines and a devoted Michigan football fan. She steadfastly supported the Chicago Cubs and spent many an hour watching her beloved "Cubbies" as they often struggled through their season.
Funeral Mass 10am Tuesday, August 11 at St Bernard Catholic Church with Father Christopher Shocklee officiating.
Visitation 4-8pm Monday at the church with a rosary service.
Memorials may be made to the Montgomery County Historical Society or the Elizabeth Backe Scholarship Fund, Gamma Psi Chapter, Psi Iota Psi.
Hunt and Son Funeral Home assisted with arrangements.
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