Obituary of Margaret C. Backus

Palmer - Margaret C. (Denning) Backus, 95, passed away December 12, 2023.  She was born November 3, 1928 in Ware, daughter of Jerry and Catherine (Hurley) Denning and was a lifelong resident of Palmer. She was a devout Catholic and an active communicant of St. Thomas the Apostle Church.  For many years, Margaret worked at Third National Bank as a bookkeeper, then went on to work for over 20 years as an office clerk at Palmer High School.  Marney was a voracious reader and often read a book a day.  Her greatest love was time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren and she enjoyed volunteering in the community.  In 2013, she was predeceased by her husband, George A. and she is the last surviving and youngest of five children; Maureen, Katherine, Richard and Timothy Denning.  Margaret will be dearly missed by her two children and their spouses, Kathy and Earl Chaffee and David and Stella Backus all of Palmer, along with her beloved grandchildren, Jennifer and Christian Young of Monson, Tim and Shannon Chaffee of Monson, Jonathan Backus and Dazaray Larose of Barre and William and Bethni Backus of N.Brookfield.  She also had 11 cherished great grandchildren.  A visitation will be Tuesday, Dec 19 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home with a funeral mass to be held at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas Church and burial to follow in the parish cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to St. Thomas the Apostle, 1076 Thorndike St., Palmer MA 01069.