Hebe L. Backiel passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, on June 27, 2019 in Stamford, Connecticut, with her children by her side. She was 99 years old.
Hebe was born May 19, 1920 in Watkins Glen, New York to Duncan and Florence Parks. She graduated from Hofstra University, where she met her husband-to-be, Stephen A. Backiel, her spouse of 58 years. After four-year stints in Brooklyn, Mineola, New York, and Greenville, South Carolina, they moved to Livingston in 1956, where they raised their family and lived for almost 45 years.
Hebe thrived as a full-time homemaker and a loving and supportive mother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother, who always put her family first.
Hebe and Steve enjoyed skiing into their late 70s. They loved vacationing along the New England coast and collecting paintings by local artists. Hebe was passionate about food and cooking, regularly worked at the polls during elections, and was an active member of the AAUW and her local bridge club.
Hebe moved to Edgehill Senior Living in Stamford in 2012, where she made a wonderful group of new friends and was engaged in various committees. She spent her days reading the New York Times, keeping up with politics, and enjoying regular visits from her daughter, Suzanne, and family.
Hebe was pre-deceased by her husband, Stephen, and her brother Duncan Parks Jr. She is survived by her son, Stephen, and his spouse, Terry Vanderplas, of Knoxville, Tennessee; her daughter, Suzanne Harley, and her spouse, William Harley, of Stamford; her granddaughters, Elizabeth Moran of Stamford and Megan McCloskey of Baltimore, Maryland; her five great-grandchildren, Luis, Gianna, Lilly, Logan and Beau; and eight nieces and nephews.
She will forever be remembered for her grace and charm, but also her strength and positive outlook. Her family will continue to be inspired by the passion of her convictions and her spirited, progressive thinking.
Visitation and a prayer service was held at the Thomas M. Gallagher Funeral Home in Stamford on Tuesday, July 2. The interment took place alongside her husband at Doyle Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, New Jersey.
Memorial contributions may be made to Planned Parenthood (www.plannedparenthood.org). To send condolences to the family, please visit www.gallagherfuneralhome.com.
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