Sue Carol Backus

Sue Carol Greening Backus died on September 23, 2013 at home after a long illness. She was born in Lorain, Ohio on October 25, 1929, a daughter of Howard Seymour Greening and Grace Elizabeth Hamill Greening. During the depression, Sue sold eggs from the family farm in Brownhelm. Those years on the farm allowed her to amuse her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her piercing rooster call. After moving to the city, Sue graduated from Elyria High School and attended the College of Wooster. Sue married John H. Backus in 1949. A year later they moved to Vermilion. In a home filled with sand, wet towels, drying sails, ice skates and fun, Sue managed a household with four daughters while her husband traveled as a salesman. Sue's commitment to Vermilion lasted a lifetime. Through the Women's League, she started the town's first kindergarten and the Lucy Idol School. Sue was elected to the Board of Education and served as president. She served as a board member for the Vermilion Education Foundation. In her neighborhood, she was secretary for the Lagoons Association. At the United Church of Christ, Congregational, she was a lay leader and served on numerous committees. After being widowed in 1975, Sue began her business career. She served as secretary to the Chamber of Commerce and opened a needlepoint shop with her friends. Through the years, she organized house sales and sold antiques with her sister. Sue obtained her real estate license and enjoyed many successful years in Crist Winterstein's office across from Schwensen's Bakery and two doors away from Brummer's Chocolates. Sue was a member of the Vermilion Boat Club and the Vermilion Yacht Club where she supported junior sailing. She enjoyed decades with the "Over Town" Bridge Club, the "Lagoons" Bridge Club and her Book Club. Stylish, strong-willed and an excellent hostess, Sue insisted her daughters stand up straight, properly set the table, promptly write thank you notes and wear life jackets when sailing in bad weather. Sue is survived by her daughters, Susan Backus Starr (Richard), Gretchen B. Loper (David), Heidi Backus Riddle, Amy Backus (Sue Zawacki) and sister, Sally Fox. She adored her grandchildren, Kate and James Keane, Elizabeth and Mark Barker, David and Shea Loper, Sarah and Jay Kline, Megan Riddle, John Riddle and great-grandchildren, Isabella, Fionn, Zoe and Ila Kline, Kellie and Molly Keane, Luke and Eli Barker. The family is grateful for Sue's excellent care provided by Traci Bennett. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 26 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Vermilion Yacht Club, 5440 Anchorage Way, Vermilion Lagoons. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 28 at 1:00 (p.m. - not to be confused with the time of Sue's Christmas Eve party) at the United Church of Christ, Congregational, 990 State Street, Vermilion, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, please write your legislators requesting support services for home health care. Donations, should you choose, may be made to the Vermilion Education Foundation (P.O. Box 556, Vermilion, Ohio 44089), the United Church of Christ, Congregational or Stein Hospice (1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870). Love your family. Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street Vermilion, Ohio is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com.