Candace C. Backus

Candace Carlucci Backus, age 66, died in her home in Easton, MD on August 20, 2010. She touched numerous lives within the Skidmore College community and on the Eastern Shore of Maryland through her service and contributions with many civic organizations. She had ovarian cancer. Most notably, Candy served on the Board and was past President of Easton Daycare Center, on the Board and past President of Hospice of Talbot County and a trustee of Academy of the Arts. She became program administrator of the Grayce B. Kerr Fund in 1994 and also served as a trustee of the Fund from 1996 to 2000. She served as a member of the Board of Governors of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum from 1999 to 2005 and again from 2008 and 2009. While on the Board of the Museum, Candy was Chair of the Development Committee in 2002, the Education Chair from 2003 through 2005 and more recently a member of the Finance and Governance Committees. In 1998 she co-founded the Museum’s “Boating Party”, the most important annual fundraiser event for the Museum, and continued to be actively involved in the event for 12 years serving as Chair in 2001 and Co-chair in 2002, 2007 and 2008. She, also, was a member of the Harbor Club and an active member of the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore. Candy was a 1966 graduate of Skidmore College with a physical education major. As a student she was president of the athletic association and a member of the executive board of the College Governing Association. Upon graduation she taught in Niskayuna School District, Niskayuna, NY, for eight years 1966-1973. She began an 11 year career at Skidmore in 1974; serving as assistant director of admissions in 1974-76 and then as executive director of the Alumni Association and Director of Alumni Affairs for nine years (1976-1985), retiring in 1985. The Candace Carlucci Award was established at Skidmore in 1985. The award is presented annually to a member of the College’s graduating class who best demonstrates the qualities that Candy brought to her Skidmore endeavors - leadership, dedication, commitment to goals, energy and enthusiasm, and interest in Skidmore's alumni affairs and development program. She was the recipient of Skidmore’s Outstanding Service Award in 1996, and continued to contribute to her alma mater as a volunteer. She served on the alumni nominating committee 1999-2002, the leadership gifts task force 1989, the Friends of the President committee 1988-89, awards committee 1985, class president 1987-91, club president 1986-90, and Reunion Fund chair 1986, among other roles. Candy married Cecil F. Backus, Jr. in 1986, making their home in York Harbor, ME. While residing in York Harbor, Candy was Chair of “Auction in the Meadows” to benefit Old York Historical Society. They resided in York Harbor until 1990, moving to “The Rest” along the Miles River, Easton, MD. With Cecil’s unwavering support, she became active in numerous civic organizations in Easton. In 2002 Candy and Cecil launched a new enterprise, “Silent Sous”, baker of custom cakes, which continued through the end of 2009. She was predeceased by her parents, Carl P. and Jane C. Carlucci of Muncy, PA. She is survived by her husband, Cecil, a brother, C. Peter Carlucci, Jr. and his wife, Trish, of Carlisle, PA, a sister, Cynthia C. Hengstenberg and her husband, Ted, of Waitsfield, Vt., and six nieces and nephews, Amy C. Wu, of Farmington, CT, Kate Aquilino of Huntington, NY, C. Peter Carlucci, III, of Columbia, SC, Anthony F. Cirelli, Jr. of Huntington, NY, Sharon L. Carlucci, of Weed, CA, and Jane A. Cirelli, of Oyster Bay, NY, and a grandniece and two grandnephews. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, September 10, 2010, beginning at 11:30 am at Christ Episcopal Church, St. Michaels, MD. A reception will follow on the campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, PO Box 636, St. Michaels, MD 21663; Skidmore College, Office of Advancement, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; or Prevent Cancer Foundation, Attn: Brooke McGee, 1600 Duke St., Suite 500, Alexandria, VA 22314. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Easton, MD.

Candace C. Backus

May 22, 1944 - August 20, 2010