Bette Ward Backes, of Wallingford, beloved wife of the late John B. Backes, departed this life on Wednesday, October 17, 2007. Bette was born on October 27, 1929 in Maryland, daughter of the late Mildred and George (Cox) Ward. She graduated from St. Mary's Female Seminary in Maryland class of 1937. She later attended Goucher College where she graduated Phi Beta Cappa. She was a member of the AAUW American Association of University Women, Delta Gamma Soriety,and Farms Country Club. She was a communicant of St. Paul's Espiscopal Church in Wallingford. She had a great love for animals, especially cats,dogs, and her horse Jeanne. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling, and entertaining family and friends. She will be sadly missed by her two sons: Chris Backes and his wife Robin of East Haddam, and Ted Backes and his wife Caryl Frankenberger of Branford. She also leaves 3 grandchildren: Corey Backes, Ben Backes, and Cam Backes, along with her cousin, Jane Leitch of MD. Besides her parents and husband she is preceded in death by her Brother, Dallas S. Ward. Private funeral services were held at the B.C. Bailey Funeral Home and conducted by Rev. Canon Robert Miner of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Wallingford. Interment was in In Memoriam Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111, or St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 65 N. Main Street, Wallingford, CT 06492 or the Alzheimer's Association, Connecticut Chapter, 279 New Britain Road, Suite 5, Kensington, CT 06037 or online at www.alzct.org. The B. C. Bailey Funeral Home of Wallingford was entrusted with arrangments.