My mom, Jo Backus, was one of those climbers who died in WA last week

[dback]

I got the news a week ago this morning. Her memorial service at her church was this past Saturday; there are follow-up services scheduled for tomorrow, July 19th, at Tacoma General/Mary Bridge at 3 PM, and the Tacoma Mountaineers tomorrow evening (at 6 PM, I believe).

My mom was not only a 20-year veteran mountain climber, whose latest project via the Mountaineers was HARK (Helping At Risk Kids)--taking mostly poor, minority kids from Tacoma into the wilderness or on mountain walks/hikes to discover the beauty of nature, and to test their abilities and physical/emotional strength. She was president of the Mountaineers for a year in the early 90's, and helped edit numerous articles and books for them over the past 2 decades. She climbed over 200 mountains during that time.

In her work life, she was a pediatric nurse at Children's Orthopedic in the 70's, then at Mary Bridge in Tacoma for the past 25 years. She'd also become a lactation consultant, working as an advocate for helping women breast-feed safely and comfortably. She volunteered at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, worked for peace causes and women's health, volunteered for innumerable fund-raisers and "lefty" causes, and was a die-hard Democrat who attended rallies, wore buttons and stickers, and actively discussed the important issues with everyone she know. (It's a shame that she didn't live to see Karl Rove squirm this week.)

With all of her work, my mom touched thousands--if not hundreds of thousands--of people in her lifetime. If you are a climber, a liberal activist, or someone interested in children's health in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor, you probably met or heard of my mom.

She believed in the power of prayer, of organization, of keeping busy, of working to make the world a better place. And through it all, she somehow raised 3 kids, and was my dad's best friend and true love.

If you plan on attending a memorial, please introduce yourself to my father and sisters (I'm back at home in San Jose). And please carry her example forward.

[Bunny]

1. Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry.

She sounds like a wonderful woman. My condolences on your loss.

[trotsky]

2. I'm so very sorry, dback.

Your mom sounds like a beautiful, wonderful person. Many people will miss her.

[On the Road]

3. I'm Sorry to Hear That, dback,

it's a terrible thing to lose a mother. Especially one as warm and accomplished as yours.

[tigereye]

4. I am so sorry to hear this

:( She sounds like she was a really cool woman.

I know a guy out there who climbs quite a bit. He is an old friend of a friend from PA. How did it happen, if you don't mind my asking?

[dback]

17. Rockslide

There was one avalanche, in which she and someone else were injured; they were rescued and moved off to the side for a few minutes, then there was another slide of huge rocks the size of refrigerators. Instantaneous (thank God).

She's been doing this for 19 years; subconciously, I always knew it was a very real possibility, which may be why I'm not completely distraught. (My dad and sisters are another matter.) Then again, I may still be in shock. I did most of my crying last Monday AM, then held it together all week, then for some reason was "leaking" in Boston Market during dinner last night.

She wouldn't have wanted this incident to discourage folks from climbing--she would've wanted to underline the cameraderie and generosity of the Mountaineers and her fellow climbers who tried to aid her.

(As I type this, Natalie Cole is singing "I wish you shelter from the storm/A cozy fire to keep you warm/But most of all when snowflakes fall/I wish you love." God does indeed send Signs.)

[tigereye]

83. I wish you well

:grouphug:

[MadAsHellNewYorker]

5. my condolences to you, your family and all the people she has touched

:hug:

[RandomKoolzip]

6. Whoa, my God...I'm so sorry.

That is really rough....:hug:

[progmom]

7. oh sweetie...i am so sorry for your loss

and the loss of all those she touched. :grouphug:

[LisaM]

8. I'm terribly sorry to hear it

they covered this on the news last Saturday in Seattle. Of course, they didn't mention her activism - I wish they had. But it was clear from the people they were interviewed that she was very beloved, especially at the Mountaineers.

[Missy M]

9. She sounds like a remarkable woman.....

my heartfelt sympathy to you and your family.

[Shell Beau]

10. Wow, that is tragic.

I am sorry!

[asjr]

11. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. She seemed

to be a hero Mom.

[Green Mountain Dem]

12. I am so sorry....

for your loss. She sounds like she was a wonderful individual and the entire world is impacted with her loss. I often wonder why we continue to lose our most beautiful people while enduring the wrath of the most despicable!! It makes no sense....

[norml]

13. Her example is something to carry forward.

Congratulations on having had such a wonderful mother.

[Rick Myers]

14. So sorry for your loss...

All good karma your way!

[progressoid]

15. Very sorry for your loss.

Sounds like she was a very giving person.

We're all here for you.

[Donkeyboy75]

16. I'm very sorry.

But at the very least, she died doing what she enjoyed. My condolences. :hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

18. I am so sorry *hugs* It is very hard to lose your mom.

[madrchsod]

19. sorry for your loss....

she is quite an example for those who wonder what to do with their lives peace

[seemunkee]

20. You have my deepest sympathy.

She sounds like a remarkable woman. May your memories of her provide some comfort to you.

[KT2000]

21. I am so sorry

it was such a horrible accident and I am so sorry.
I watched the news stories about it and thought, oh no, we have lost another good person.
In addition to what you have posted, the pictures on the news showed she was a strikingly beautiful woman.
My sympathies to you and your family.

[uppityperson]

22. So sorry dback

Having mom die is tough, odd things in odd places will make you leak. Sorry.

[Rainbowreflect]

23. I am so sorry for you loss. She sounds like an amazing women.

:hug:

[miss_kitty]

24. I am so sorry for your loss

In the pictures they've shown of her on the news, she looks extremely happy, and has a most kind and loving face. I'm glad she was able to give so much to our community, and it sounds like she had a very happy fulfilling life and was loved and appreciated by many. We could all hope to be half as fortunate as she was, and our cups would be filled to overflowing.

I'm glad she had three kids. She will live on, not only through you three, but through all of those whose lives were touched by her kindness and love.

[Debbi801]

25. I am sorry for your loss...

My thoughts go out to you and your family. It sounds like you mother was an amazing woman.

:hug:

[graywarrior]

26. Allow me to add my condolences here.

[flamingyouth]

27. I am so sorry to hear of your beloved mother's passing.

Please accept my deepest sympathy. :grouphug:

[lpbk2713]

28. I envy you for knowing her.

And I join you in your grief.

[MissB]

29. I am so sorry for your loss

Your mother was clearly a very wonderful person. :hug:

[livetohike]

30. I'm so sorry dback. My sympathy to you and your family

:hug:

I hope all of the good memories of your mom will soon ease the sadness.

[merh]

31. So sorry for your loss.

:hug: You and yours are in my prayers. :hug:

[dback]

45. She believed in the power of prayer--thank you so much

My sister told me that every now and then she would get teary when she thought of all the unhappiness and suffering in the world--and yes, she vehemently believed that Bush and co. were a major source of that unhappiness and suffering. But she believed that prayer was an essential part of helping people (as well as calling, e-mailing, spending time with them, dictating their diet, finding activities...) :)

And thanks to everyone for the kind wishes. In the words of someone (Emma Goldman?): "Don't mourn--organize."

[merh]

78. She will be in your heart always.

:hug: The faith she instilled in you will give you strength and help you through out the years. :hug:

[DELUSIONAL]

32. I read about her in the P.I. -- what a wonderful woman she was

Somehow it doesn't surprise me that one of her kids is a DUer.

I'm sorry for your loss.

[UrbScotty]

33. Many prayers and warm wishes to all of you.

:hug:

[bobbieinok]

34. very sorry for your loss.....she sounds like a wonderful person

[understandinglife]

35. My condolences to you and your family, dback.

Peace.

[kevsand]

36. She will be missed.

But it sounds like her life will be an inspiration to countless others. That's an amazing legacy...

[maddezmom]

37. prayers and condolences to you and your family

You mom sounded like a wonderful person and role model for us all. :hug:

[Justpat]

38. Your mom sounds like someone who lived from her heart

every day.

You are lucky to have had her as your mother.

I am sorry for your loss.

[Darth_Kitten]

39. I am so very sorry.

:hug:

Your mother sounds like a truly outstanding individual. My condolences to you and your family.

[DemReadingDU]

40. I'm so sorry about your mom

It's really sad when a loved one passes away. Sounds like you have some wonderful memories of her.

[knowbody0]

41. dback

so sorry for your loss. she sounds like a very loving and powerful woman.

[flyarm]

42. my heart felt sympathy...

may your mothers loving legacy live onward with all the childrens lives she touched and all those she inspired with her love and work on behalf of so many..and within you and your family.
my sincerest condolences...fly

[Lydia Leftcoast]

43. So sorry, dback

You had a mother to be proud of. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

44. She did make the world a better place...

She brought you into it. I'm so sorry for your loss. :hug:

[JimmyJazz]

46. I am terribly sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

47. I'm so sorry

[babylonsister]

48. Your mom sounds amazing; I'm very sorry

for you and your family's loss, dback. :hug:

[donheld]

49. I'm very sorry

Peace to her, and you who survive her.

[Burried News]

50. What a wonderful example of love and service to others.

Very sorry for your loss.

[Coventina]

51. My sympathy and love to you and your family

:hug:

[IdaBriggs]

52. Complete and utter heartfelt sympathies.....nt

[RedCloud]

53. She is still there in the many thousands she helped.

Peace be with you and yours.

[lady lib]

54. Your mom sounds like a wonderful person.

Prayers to you and your family.

[ScreamingMeemie]

55. dback...I'm so sorry.

:cry: :hugs: and thoughts.

[Joey Liberal]

56. My Condolences

She was a great lady, and she did a great job of raising you.

[indigo32]

57. My deepest sympathy

She sounds like a wonderful woman.

[bigwillq]

58. I'm so very sorry for your loss.

My thoughts are with you and your family at this difficult time.
She seemed like a wonderful woman.:hug:

[Bo]

59. I wish I could have known her

The ancient Greeks used to ask one question during the funeral rites,

Did this person have PASSION? Sounds like your mom most certainly did

[villager]

60. sorry for your loss, dback

best, in this tough time -- with "I Wish You Love" on the CD player, signifying -- to you and your family, and all those your mom touched...

[mike_c]

61. my sincere condolences to you and your family, dback....

It sounds like your mother lived a very full and meaningful life.

[all.of.me]

62. i am very very sorry

my thoughts are with your family.

[theplutsnw]

63. I was so sorry to hear about this

when it happened. She sounds like she was another wonderful Pacific Northwestern er, we have lost a lot the last couple of weeks. I was glad to see the media attention she received, she will be missed.

My condolences,

Alyssa P.

[roguevalley]

64. your mom was a hero who left good everywhere she went. your

family must be so proud of her. If you can do one good lasting thing in your life that helps someone else along, you have done good. I hope you find peace and comfort in knowing that.

[skygazer]

65. I'm so sorry, dback

:hug: Your mom sounds like an amazing and giving woman. And it sounds like she accomplished more in a life cut short than most people would in several lifetimes.

My condolences to you and your family. :hug:

[Wapsie B]

66. I'm so sorry.

My deepest sympathies.

[i miss america]

67. Heartfelt condolences dback

...to you and your family :cry:

[Jara sang]

68. I am so sorry...

What peak was she climbing? I know it is no comfort right know, but she died doing something that she loved.

[dback]

92. Someplace called Sharkfin, up in Skagit County

My mom wouldn't see the movie "Jaws" because she was scared of sharks. :) There is some ironic humor there. (I'll take what I can get.)

BTW, yesterday I was reading all your lovely notes, and was starting to feel sort of emotional; at that PRECISE moment, on the Music Choice channel I listen to, Gogi Grant started singing "Don't cry...oh, honey, please don't be that way." I went down and listened to the whole song, then decided to buy the CD. (Never argue with Signs.)

[Jara sang]

95. Sharkfin Tower?

I just looked it up in my Mountaineers book 'Selected Climbs in the Cascades' looks like a tough climb, 5.0. She must indeed have been an accomplished mountaineer.

[Skittles]

69. I am so sorry, dback

I remember when I read the article and they said the lady was 61 I thought to myself, I bet that was one heck of a woman. *sniff*

[BrklynLiberal]

70. My condolences, dback. on the loss of your Mom. She must have

been a wonderful person to have known.
Your sort bio indicates that she was a human being that stood head and shoulders above the crowd. Many people will remember and miss her, and thereby, she will live on.

[henslee]

71. Thats quite a resume. We lost a good one.

[stevedeshazer]

72. So sorry, friend.

Condolences from another Northwest outpost (Portland).

May your mom's spirit live on through the memory of the kids she helped, and may you always be reminded of it through the beauty of the Cascades and the West.

Remember that people like her will always live on; I hope you take some comfort from her good works while your family deals with your loss.


Mt Adams from Mt Rainier

[RetroLounge]

73. Very sorry for your loss dback...

:hug:

Your mom sounds like she was a wonderful person...

RL

[stanwyck]

74. She sounds like a truly lovely person

we are all grieving for you and the loss of such a giving, active woman.

[lumberingbear]

75. My condolences dback

:hug:

[KC21304]

76. So sorry for your loss. What a wonderful person

she was and her family, friends and community will miss her greatly but what she has left can never be taken away. Peace and comfort to you, dback.

[peekaloo]

77. My sincere condolences.

:hug:

Sorry for your loss. You were blessed with a wonderful mother/role model.


May she rest in peace.

[Midlodemocrat]

79. I am so sorry to hear about this.

I lost my own mother three years ago and it is still painful. I can't imagine the shock and grief you are going through. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

80. She sounds like a hero. Be proud of her!

[Old and In the Way]

81. Sorry to hear this, but I am sure you had a mom to be proud of.

Thoughts are with you and your family during this time of your loss.

[alphafemale]

82. So sorry. Take comfort in knowing she lived life on her terms.

:hug:

[Ladyhawk]

84. Losing a parent is tough, especially someone as extraordinary

as your mother seemed to be.

I am very sorry for your loss, dback. :hug:

[gardenista]

85. I'm so sorry. She sounds like an amazing woman.

I wish you comfort in your good memories of your mother.

She is an inspiration for those of us left behind to continue her work.

[Lori Price CLG]

86. I am sorry for your loss, dback...

[Hissyspit]

87. So sorry to hear this, dback.

Thank you so much for sharing with us all.

[Generic Other]

88. I am so sorry to hear of your loss

I live in the Tacoma area and had heard of her passing. Your mom's accomplishments were celebrated on the local news last week. She sounds like she was a wonderful lady.

[Blue Gardener]

89. Sorry for your loss

Here's a hug. :hug:

[ulysses]

90. very sorry to hear this.

Your mom sounds like an amazing person. All peace to you and your family.

[Obamarama]

91. She sounds as if she is an amazing woman.....

Not was. IS.

I think that when people have such a strong presense and strong influence on so many people and so many things, they also have a strong spirit.

While their physical bodies are gone, I beleive that spirit remains here, with the people and the things she loved. That's why I rarely speak of people who have died in the past tense. I've just had too many personal experiences of being touched or influencd by the spirits of many close friends and family members who have died.

May you find comfort in your memories of her as you adjust to the absense of her body, and find the peace and tranquility to connect with the part of her that remains in everything and everyone she touched.

[lavenderdiva]

93. I am so sorry to read about your Mother's passing..

She sounds like an amazing woman who lived her life to the fullest! What a marvelous example for us all...

You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you peace and hugs...:hug: :hug: :hug:

[auntAgonist]

94. Please accept

my heartfelt condolences. Would that there were many more like her in the world. A loss to all of us.

:hug:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

96. I'm so very sorry

My prayers go out to you and your family. Sounds like she was a fantastic person.