Carol Ann Backus

Carol Ann Backus, 77, of Toms River, NJ, departed for a more heavenly landscape on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. She leaves a brightly-colored legacy behind, from her family, to her many dear friends, and her beautiful artwork.  

Born in Jersey City to John and Gilda Fanelli Muller, she attended the Academy of St Aloysius K-12 , Katharine Gibbs in NYC, and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Monmouth University in 2002 with a degree in Fine Arts.

She met her beloved husband and soul mate, Tony, while in high school in Jersey City.  They married in 1966 and resided in Jersey City and Old Bridge before his career in Law  Enforcement took them to Puerto Rico and Phoenix, Arizona. They returned to Westfield, NJ in 1982, where they raised their three sons, and Carol Ann began a career at Westfield High School, retiring to Toms River in 2000.

She and Tony loved traveling; both abroad to places of their ancestry as well as visiting their children, grandchildren, and many friends around the country. She commemorated their travels by creating beautiful art journals filled with highlights of their trips. 

Her first and dearest friend was her sister, Jeanne. Being so close in age, they shared the full spectrum of life's blessings and challenges, always together, always holding each other's hand, the way only sisters can understand. Jeanne will forever cherish the extraordinary bond they shared. 

Our beautiful Carol Ann was a gifted artist, and expressed her love of art through painting, crafting, and creating personalized, handmade greeting cards for family and friends.  The watercolor of her life was made even more vibrant by her many wonderful relationships, especially her lifelong friends Angel, Trina, Rosalie, and Stephanie.  

Carol Ann loved coffee, good books, Hallmark movies, and holiday and birthday celebrations. She looked forward to the annual girls’ trip to Cape May with Jeanne, Angel, Krystal, Trina, Tana, Heather, Connie, and Pat . She and her daughter-in-law Krystal shared a very special relationship, creating precious memories at the beach, sharing meals, and chatting for hours.

Carol Ann is survived by her devoted husband Anthony D. Backus (Tony) of almost 57 years and her beloved sons: Glen John and his wife Lindsay, of Fruit Heights, Utah; David Anthony and his wife Krystal, of Bayville, NJ; and Gary Christian and his wife Gina, of Fort Myers, Florida. She leaves behind her cherished grandchildren: Benjamin, Leanna, Austin, Alexander, Connor, and Colton; her sister, Jeanne Muller Jensen (Kenneth) of Ocean, NJ; their children, Jillian Florio (Nathan); Eric Matthew (Megan) and Christa. She will be deeply missed by her sisters-in-law: Dorothy Colonna, Joan Marie Moore, and Patricia Backus, and many beloved nieces and nephews.

We honor our precious Carol Ann’s memory by continuing her legacy of selfless love, unfailing optimism, and loyalty.  She was a devout Catholic who attended St. Catharine of Siena Church in Seaside Park, NJ. where a  Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 23, 2023 at 11am.  50 E Street, Seaside Park, N.J. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Ocean County Library https://theoceancountylibrary.org//sites/default/files/support/donation-form.pdf,  

Former Agents of the FBI Foundation. 3717 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA, 22025, (www.socxfbi.org), or the charity of your choice.

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