Jennie Theodora Backer

99, of Indianapolis, passed away February 3, 2013. She was born November 22, 1913, in Tell City, IN, to the late Theodore and Jennie K. Hubbs Brenner. Jennie was a graduate of Tell City High School. She married John Paul Backer, and he preceded her in death October 31, 1951. Jennie was a great Mother. She raised two children by herself when her husband was killed in a plane crash. This was a time when employment for women was not favorable. At times she worked three jobs, never complained, and made both my brother and me feel loved and secure. Jennie loved to play cards. She taught my brother and I to play bridge when we were quite young. In later years she played a game called Spite and Malice. She was wicked at this game, generally won, and was often malicious when she wouldn�t play the card you needed until the bitter end. Jennie was a compassionate woman. She took in two young women who were mainstreamed after living in an institution most of their lives. Jennie had a duplex at the time and the women rented one side. She helped them when problems occurred or they needed transportation, advice, etc. She genuinely cared for the two women. One year my brother did Mother�s taxes. After completing them he realized that she gave away more than half of her income. She did this in spite of her income being low at the time. My brother gave her a hard time about it being concerned that she would have enough money to live on. Needless to say, that was the last time she let him do her taxes. Cleanliness and control were high priorities for Jennie. I am bringing this up because of a funny story involving a home care aide�s experience in giving her a bath. For a short time, she was receiving care from a home care agency. I received a call from the aide�s supervisor one day informing me that the aide couldn�t take two hours to give Jennie a bath that was much too long to give someone a bath. The supervisor complained that Jennie insisted she give her a bath a certain way and �not only that, she had to use 12 washcloths.� I tried not to laugh but I had personal experience with that as did our beloved Jacque. Jacque helped care for Mother and generally gave Mother her bath. Commonly Jacque would come out of the bathroom with perspiration dripping from her brow because Mother insisted that the room was too cold so a heater had to be running full force resulting in a room temperature only a saint would put up with. Among family, Jennie was known to frequently burn the dinner rolls. This was especially devastating one Thanksgiving when she burned her friend Ethel�s homemade yeast dinner rolls. We can laugh about it now but poor Ethel had spent an entire morning making them and we were all salivating at the thought of eating them. I could go on about funny stories and Mother�s many kindnesses but not sure you have time to read them all. I know Mother is laughing about the funny stories and hoping you are too. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and friend. My brother and I are grateful for having her as our Mother, the best of the best. We will miss her but know she is in a better place. We will be talking to you Mother even though you can�t respond. Lots of love coming your way.Jane and Jerry Jennie was a licensed realtor for over 30 years, retiring in 1994 from Realty Mart. She was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church, an honorary member of Board of Realtors and Real Estate Referral Association; and a volunteer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Jennie is survived by her children, Jane H. Backer and Jerry P. (Patricia) Backer; eight grandchildren, Michael Tofaute, Suzanne Argenta, Julia (Richard) Exley, Stephen (Christina) Tofaute, Angela Taylor, John Garver, Jim Muesing and Angela (Gabe) Schritter; and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 3001 E. 30th St., Indianapolis, IN 46218. Interment will take place at a later date in Troy, IN. Final arrangements are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Washington Memorial Chapel.

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Jennie Theodora Backer

November 22, 1913 - February 3, 2013