Mary E. Backner

Mary E. Backner, age 91, of Willard/Ovid, New York, died at Hospicare Residence in Ithaca on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, following recent health setbacks.

Mary was born in Trumansburg on March 26, 1933, a daughter of the late Washington and Lena (nee Grant) Yaw. Mary worked as a waitress at Taughannock Farms Inn for 28 years. She and her husband Bud started traveling to Florida after their retirement, camping for the winter months. In 1985 they purchased property on Pine Island where he enjoyed commercial fishing until 2003 when they decided to move back to New York to be closer to family. Mary was a loving and protective wife, mother, and grandmother, making her home the center of family, which also included her summers spent at the pool.

Mary is survived by her children; Barbara (Roger) Seely of Ithaca, Francis H. “Skip” (Joanna) Backner of Ruskin, FL and Rory (Sandra) Backner of Groton, 12 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren and a sister, Alice Thayer of Ithaca. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Diana Lynn Coutin in 2001 and by her husband of 69 years, Francis “Bud” Backner in 2019.

At Mary’s request, services will be held privately, and she and Bud will be interred at Grove Cemetery in Trumansburg. 

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