Doris A. Backholm, born to Del and Zinnie Sharp December 26, 1926, fell asleep in Jesus on July 11, 2020. She was a life-long resident of Grays Harbor (primarily Aberdeen) and leaves a blessed legacy. Her earliest community presence was, at age 6 or 7, singing “Away in a Manger” in the school Christmas program, and also for the Sunshine Kids annual Christmas radio program on KXRO radio. She attended first and second grades at Washington Elementary School in Hoquiam, then continued through Aberdeen schools graduating from Weatherwax High in 1945. There she was student body secretary.
After high school she held various jobs until meeting Elven Backholm through their mutual love of music. He escorted her home after their first gig, and, as he put it, he “never left her side.” They had four sons: Devin (Jane), Derek (Sayoko), Dean (Mary) and Doug (Therese). All four graduated from Weatherwax High and still live in western Washington.
When the boys were no longer small children, she decided to go back to school for her teaching degree from St. Martin’s College. That led to a 17-year stint teaching kindergarten in Cosmopolis. These years left another stream of blessings behind as her many students, now grown, regularly remind the family of being in kindergarten with Mrs. Backholm.
Her broader impact on those around her involved bridge club, PTA, Cub Scouts, and church activities ranging from children’s choir to president of Christian Women’s Club in later years. She was always in the middle of goings-on, giving her best to making sure nothing was overlooked. She was always gentle, even when confronting boys who were not supposed to put a baseball bat on the mantle or, use laundry detergent to turn a wading pool into a giant bubble bath in the yard.
She loved her life and the people in it, and according to the closest observers she enjoyed most listening to her four sons make music.
She will join her mother, father and husband in eternity and is survived by her four sons (and their wives), 14 grandchildren (and 13 spouses), and 28 great-grandchildren…most of whom at one point in their lives wore pajamas made by Gramma Doris.
Memorials can be made to your favorite charity. She was always big on giving back.
There will be an immediate family gathering August 9 and another gathering for extended family and friends to be announced in the future when all can attend as public health guidelines allow.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
After high school she held various jobs until meeting Elven Backholm through their mutual love of music. He escorted her home after their first gig, and, as he put it, he “never left her side.” They had four sons: Devin (Jane), Derek (Sayoko), Dean (Mary) and Doug (Therese). All four graduated from Weatherwax High and still live in western Washington.
When the boys were no longer small children, she decided to go back to school for her teaching degree from St. Martin’s College. That led to a 17-year stint teaching kindergarten in Cosmopolis. These years left another stream of blessings behind as her many students, now grown, regularly remind the family of being in kindergarten with Mrs. Backholm.
Her broader impact on those around her involved bridge club, PTA, Cub Scouts, and church activities ranging from children’s choir to president of Christian Women’s Club in later years. She was always in the middle of goings-on, giving her best to making sure nothing was overlooked. She was always gentle, even when confronting boys who were not supposed to put a baseball bat on the mantle or, use laundry detergent to turn a wading pool into a giant bubble bath in the yard.
She loved her life and the people in it, and according to the closest observers she enjoyed most listening to her four sons make music.
She will join her mother, father and husband in eternity and is survived by her four sons (and their wives), 14 grandchildren (and 13 spouses), and 28 great-grandchildren…most of whom at one point in their lives wore pajamas made by Gramma Doris.
Memorials can be made to your favorite charity. She was always big on giving back.
There will be an immediate family gathering August 9 and another gathering for extended family and friends to be announced in the future when all can attend as public health guidelines allow.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Doris A. Backholm, born to Del and Zinnie Sharp December 26, 1926, fell asleep in Jesus on July 11, 2020. She was a life-long resident of Grays Harbor (primarily Aberdeen) and leaves a blessed legacy. Her earliest community presence was, at age 6 or 7, singing “Away in a Manger” in the school Christmas program, and also for the Sunshine Kids annual Christmas radio program on KXRO radio. She attended first and second grades at Washington Elementary School in Hoquiam, then continued through Aberdeen schools graduating from Weatherwax High in 1945. There she was student body secretary.
After high school she held various jobs until meeting Elven Backholm through their mutual love of music. He escorted her home after their first gig, and, as he put it, he “never left her side.” They had four sons: Devin (Jane), Derek (Sayoko), Dean (Mary) and Doug (Therese). All four graduated from Weatherwax High and still live in western Washington.
When the boys were no longer small children, she decided to go back to school for her teaching degree from St. Martin’s College. That led to a 17-year stint teaching kindergarten in Cosmopolis. These years left another stream of blessings behind as her many students, now grown, regularly remind the family of being in kindergarten with Mrs. Backholm.
Her broader impact on those around her involved bridge club, PTA, Cub Scouts, and church activities ranging from children’s choir to president of Christian Women’s Club in later years. She was always in the middle of goings-on, giving her best to making sure nothing was overlooked. She was always gentle, even when confronting boys who were not supposed to put a baseball bat on the mantle or, use laundry detergent to turn a wading pool into a giant bubble bath in the yard.
She loved her life and the people in it, and according to the closest observers she enjoyed most listening to her four sons make music.
She will join her mother, father and husband in eternity and is survived by her four sons (and their wives), 14 grandchildren (and 13 spouses), and 28 great-grandchildren…most of whom at one point in their lives wore pajamas made by Gramma Doris.
Memorials can be made to your favorite charity. She was always big on giving back.
There will be an immediate family gathering August 9 and another gathering for extended family and friends to be announced in the future when all can attend as public health guidelines allow.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
After high school she held various jobs until meeting Elven Backholm through their mutual love of music. He escorted her home after their first gig, and, as he put it, he “never left her side.” They had four sons: Devin (Jane), Derek (Sayoko), Dean (Mary) and Doug (Therese). All four graduated from Weatherwax High and still live in western Washington.
When the boys were no longer small children, she decided to go back to school for her teaching degree from St. Martin’s College. That led to a 17-year stint teaching kindergarten in Cosmopolis. These years left another stream of blessings behind as her many students, now grown, regularly remind the family of being in kindergarten with Mrs. Backholm.
Her broader impact on those around her involved bridge club, PTA, Cub Scouts, and church activities ranging from children’s choir to president of Christian Women’s Club in later years. She was always in the middle of goings-on, giving her best to making sure nothing was overlooked. She was always gentle, even when confronting boys who were not supposed to put a baseball bat on the mantle or, use laundry detergent to turn a wading pool into a giant bubble bath in the yard.
She loved her life and the people in it, and according to the closest observers she enjoyed most listening to her four sons make music.
She will join her mother, father and husband in eternity and is survived by her four sons (and their wives), 14 grandchildren (and 13 spouses), and 28 great-grandchildren…most of whom at one point in their lives wore pajamas made by Gramma Doris.
Memorials can be made to your favorite charity. She was always big on giving back.
There will be an immediate family gathering August 9 and another gathering for extended family and friends to be announced in the future when all can attend as public health guidelines allow.
A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
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