Sister Backenstos, SNJM

Sister Backenstos, SNJM Obituary

Sister John Maureen Backenstos (Margaret “Peggy Jean” Backenstos), age 95, died at Mary’s Woods in Lake Oswego, December 14, 2017. A Sister of the Holy Names for 73 years, her funeral will be held at 11 a.m., January 11, 2018, in the Chapel of the Holy Names, Lake Oswego.
Daughter of James and Patience Whitaker Backenstos, Peggy Jean grew up in the Portland area. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Names in 1942 and received the religious name Sister John Maureen. She had a long career in elementary education in Holy Names schools in Portland, Salem, St. Paul, Lake Oswego, Medford, Seattle, and Eugene before teaching at Marist High School in Eugene.

A woman of many interests, she was a writer, poet, and photographer who loved the outdoors and had a deep passion for social justice.
She later spent 35 years in McKenzie Bridge, Oregon, as a loving friend and a pastoral presence serving the needs of the people of the area, including assisting at St. Benedict’s Lodge Catholic Church and creating a food pantry for the poor with the help of the St. Vincent de Paul Society which is still thriving as the McKenzie River Food Bank.
Sister John Maureen is survived by niece, Jeanie Blackburn; cousin, Jim Backenstos; and members of her religious community.

Remembrances may be made to the Sister John M. Backenstos Scholarship Fund, Marist High School Foundation, 1900 Kingsley Road, Eugene, OR, 97401, or to the Sisters of the Holy Names, P.O. Box 398, Marylhurst, OR 97036 or online at www.snjmusontario.org/donate.

Funeral

11:00 AM ,Thursday, January 11, 2018
Chapel of the Holy Names
Lake Oswego

Services

You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or by planting a memorial tree in the memory of Sister Backenstos, SNJM

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One reply on “Sister Backenstos, SNJM”

To lose our loved ones to death is very painful. Many wonder “Why do good people die?” Romans 5:12 gives us the answer. Thou this enemy (death) overtakes our loved ones, God’s word assures us that he will restore life to many who have fallen asleep in death. (John 5:28.29)