FARMINGTON — A. Vestena Perkins Backus of Wilton passed away on Oct. 27 at Franklin Memorial Hospital.

She was born on Dec. 16, 1919, in Fredericton, N.B., Canada, the youngest daughter of Percival J. and Cora S. Lovely Perkins.

The family moved to Wilton in May 1922, where she attended school, graduating from Wilton Academy in the Class of 1937. She attended Bliss Business College in Lewiston, following which she was employed in the payroll office of the Wilton Woolen Co. from 1941 to 1944. She also worked in the offices of the East Yard of the New England Shipbuilding Corp. in South Portland.

On March 15, 1941, she married Wayne W. Backus of Farmington in Randolph. Following his discharge from the United States Marine Corps in 1946, she and her husband founded Backus Garage in East Wilton. For 26 years she was bookkeeper, office manager and partner in the automobile dealership until the business was sold in 1972 to their son, Wally Backus. From 1972 until retirement, she and her husband were investors in rental real estate in the Wilton area, where they rehabbed many properties into quality rental units.

She had been a member of the Wilton Methodist Church since the mid-1930s. She was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star and Rebekah Lodge No. 68, where she served in several offices and was a past noble grand. For many years, she and her husband wintered in the Caribbean, spending the last 20 winters in Punta Gorda, Fla.

She is survived by her two sons, Wayne W. II “Wally” and his wife, Annette L. Backus, of Farmington and John B. of East Wilton; her daughter, Janis B. Stinson of Dryden; 17 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Wayne, of 69 years; three brothers, Percy LeRoy Perkins, John A.H. Perkins and William R. Perkins; one sister, Eva Perkins Singleton; and a granddaughter, Leah K. Stinson.

Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.

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