Jessie Backstrom, 81, formerly of Finleyville, died Saturday, October 4, 1997, at Country Care Manor in Fayette City. She came to the United States and was raised as a daughter by William J. Mathies. She was a member of Mingo Presbyterian Church, Order of the Eastern Star of West Newton and the Monongahela White Shrine, No. 9. Her husband, Leonard E. Backstrom, died April 4, 1995. Surviving are one son, William Backstrom of Jacksonville, Fla.; two daughters, Donna Gresh of Daisytown and Norma Prah of Banning; one brother, David Mathies of Gastonville; one sister, Nettie May Long of Madison; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. Deceased is a brother, Archie Mathies. Copyright ©1997 Observer Publishing Co. Last updated Monday, October 6, 1997 Jessie Backstrom
Born in Scotland, member of Mingo Presbyterian
She was born February 21, 1916, in Stonehouse, Scotland, a daughter of William and Mary S. Collins Hamilton.