Christine Lilly Backus

Christine Lilly Backus, affectionately known as Chris or Christy, embarked on her final adventure on July 14, 2024, at the age of 77, after a colorful life filled with laughter, creativity, and having a huge impact on those around her through her kindness and willingness to lend a hand. Born on October 15, 1946, in Eugene, Oregon, Christy was known for her humor and kindness across the east coast and west coasts. She and her husband of 53 years, Andy Backus, lived in Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, California, Vancouver BC, and Washington. She came back to the Boston area for the past 2 years to live near family. 

Christy's high school years were spent at Moorestown Friends School, where she honed her artistic talents and made life-long friends, likely due to her penchant for cheeky humor. She then attended Goucher College, earning her Bachelor's degree, and later Harvard University, where she earned  a Master's in Education. Returning to her alma maters, Christy was an inspirational art teacher and role model at Moorestown Friends School and also acted as the Art Librarian at Goucher College for a time.

Christy's life with her late husband, Andrew Backus, was the stuff of quirky romantic comedies, deep love, and joint adventures. Their love for each other, kindness, and generosity were an inspiration to the many people and communities they touched. Their collaboration was a testament to their shared love of laughter and storytelling, and their marriage was a beacon of joy, wit, and shared achievements. They were excellent party hosts and were famous among their friends and fellow-travelers for their big, fun soirees, especially New Year’s Day parties which did double-duty as celebrations of their wedding anniversary (December 31st). 

Christy shared a deep involvement in the Unitarian Universalist (UU) church with Andy. Not simply a minister’s wife and church member, but an active participant in the larger community, as a frequent attendee of UUA (the UU annual meeting), founding member of the UU minister's partners group, and an active member of UURMaPA (a group for retired UU ministers and their partners), with activities including, but not limited to editing the group’s publication, Elderberries. In recent years, she found a spiritual home at the Unitarian Church of Sharon in Sharon, MA and appreciated the community and social justice messages shared there.

Christy was often singing, sometimes silly songs and sometimes in the choir (though she claimed she never learned to read music) and knew every song in the UU songbook without looking. She turned her creative flair to musicals to join forces with Andy to co-write the play "Older But Not Wiser (Younger But Not Cute)," which, true to form, was a hit at the Bellingham Theater Guild. 

Together, Chris and Andy boated the waters of the East and West coasts, taking on leadership roles within the Power Squadron at Semiahmoo Yacht Club in Bellingham. As a Power Squadron Commodore, she navigated the seas with the same ease and grace with which she navigated life's challenges, taking pride and joy in teaching others about boating safety. 

Throughout her life, Christy was committed to social justice causes through giving, action, and allyship - attending rallies, donating, creating safe spaces for people to express their identities, and canvassing for local candidates she believed in. 

As her capacity changed due to dementia, her core qualities still shined through and she was beloved by all of those who helped care for her. And one could absolutely imagine her making jokes about how being “demented” her whole life was finally catching up to her with her wry tone. Christy was known throughout her life for a love of Halloween and could be seen wearing Halloween sweaters and hats throughout the month.

Christy's legacy is not just in the plays she wrote, the students she inspired, or the boat trips she logged. It's in the laughter she left behind, the kind that echoes in the hearts of those who knew her. She leaves behind  loving family members: her nieces Alisha Sarang-Sieminski and Hema Sarang-Sieminski and their children (her grand-niblings) Thendral, Kavyn, and Suriyan, her sister Deb Lilly, and countless extended family and friends who she impacted. Each of them carry a spark of Christy's humor and  treasured memories of humor, wisdom, strength, and caring.

Christine Lilly Backus was a woman who lived her life in joy, deep conviction in her social justice values, and the gift of never taking life and all that it brings too seriously. .. or here! As we say our goodbyes, let's not forget to smile and be kind to one another; after all, that's exactly what Christy would have wanted. 

Donations in Christy’s memory can be made to organizations that support democracy and reproductive rights - things she worked for throughout her life.

Christy’s memorial will be held at the Unitarian Church of Sharon on Saturday, August 24 at 3 PM, with a teatime reception to follow. A remote option will be available and the Zoom Link can be found on the church website: https://www.uusharon.org/calendar/christy-backus-memorial-service/. 

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