Grandchildren of Grace Bailey Pollard Backman

I have to remind myself I am not speaking, with this generation, of a distant, past family but rather of a living and vital family. True, there have been losses in this generation, the grandchildren of the The Bishop's Daughters as I have learned; there are also many who continue to live and produce or contribute to their communities, their churches, their government and especially their families. Beyond this generation I do not know how I will proceed. That is my generation and yet I have many many blanks still to complete. But my report has come to Grace, the youngest of Joseph and Mary Ann Bailey Pollard's daughters. As she and I approach our shared birthday I am especially mindful of my responsibilities in telling a family story. If you wish I had not reported what I have I assure that I have used publicly accessible records only. I hope you will see my pride in our commonality and accomplishments. I hope that you see we are a family, and while I know that this can be disconcerting for some, I see it as my- as our story.
Grace's Grandchildren:
Gustave LeRoy Backman, 'Roy', 23 Nov 1913 - 27 Dec 1986, married Marjorie Stohl in 1937 to become parents to Robert, Gustave, Nancy and Todd.
Pollard Davis Backman, Dr. 'Paul'D. Backman, is listed in the University of Utah Alumni Association Directory as is his wife Astra, whom he wed in 1949. They are parents to Brooke, Betsy, Jill and Jan. Paul was born Apr 1917 and passed away 10 July 2010 in Ventura, California.
William Davis Backman 20 Oct 1921 to Dec 1978, married Nettie Lawana Rice 1946. Bill served the country during World War II, which had taken his wife's first husband as well.They were parents to John, Thomas, Ann and Gregory.

Robert LeGrand Backman, born 1922, Graduate of University of Utah with a JD; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as a member of the First Quorum of Seventy, Emeritis has been active in many of the Youth programs. His wife Virginia Pickett passed away 1999, they have seven daughters: Judith, Louise, Rebecca, Virginia, Bonnie, Patricia and Barbara. Robert includes in many talks to young men how he felt shy and out of place while growing up in South Africa and then in Utah but put these challenges to use for himself in application to faith and to study so that his later success has benefitted those around him in meaningful ways. His articles appear in LDS publications still. He has remarried, and with his wife has been active in Temple work near their home. He is a veteran of WWII.
Mary Jean Backman Alley is a retired educator, Teaching a carreer she shared with her late husband John R Alley. They are parents to Peggy, Susan, John R, Jr, Diana, George L, Jeffrey B and Thomas G Alley.
Richard Price Backman, successful businessman in the Salt Lake City area, was born 1926 and with his wife Gloria Sorenson is father to Andrea, Claudia, Richard L, Deborah, Cynthia, Michael P, Martha and Robert A Backman.
Beverly Backman born 1930, married Robert E Davis, with Davis Printing in Salt Lake City. They are parents to Scott, Gary, Martsie and Julie.
James Hilmer Backman born 1943, went to University of Utah for his JD degree, has written the real property code for Utah State and served on the faculty of Brigham Young University as well as receiving various assignments of responsibility, as in 1997 when he was named Director of Cooperative Education and Internships. His children are James, David, Jonathan, Stephen, Heidi and Joseph.

Bette Ann Backman Esch married Frederick H Esch in 1946. Fred passed away in 1991. They are parents to Melody, Kathy, Patricia and Fred, Jr.
Milton Vaughn Backman, Jr a renowned author and historian in LDS history, he has also served in positions for the Church as well as BYU. A daughter Karen and his first wife, Kathleen McLatchy have passed away. He is father also to Kristine Denison and Karl M Backman. Mick has remarried and lives near BYU.

Marilyn Glade Vinson, 'Mitzi' has lived in Utah for a number of years, and has maintained a close relationshp with my parents. It was from her collection I borrowed the photograph of the Bishops Daughters. She has two daughters, Kathleen and Leslie, four grandchildren, one of whom served in the conflicts in the mideast.
Lynda Glade Latta 1940 to 2000, lost her husband as noted in this account earlier. Parents of three: Lanny, Nicole and Michelle, Lynda was ernest in getting services for people with handicaps and this concern led to the development with her husband Tom Latta, of HandiTrans which is now part of Utah Transit Athority.

Joan Backman Kirkham 6 Oct 1928 to 14 Jul 2011, mother of 7, married Jim Kirkham in her parents home in Salt Lake City in 1948. They met while attending U of U, and after Jim graduated they followed an education career that took them throughout the southwest, some assignments in very remote schools on Navajo or Pueblo reservations. These places, people and opportunities were always important and fostered friendhips that lasted over 60 years. Her last work was as Elementry School Librarian in Roy, Utah. Well after retirement she continued to read to and serve school children. She maintained, even into her last months friendships from her childhood and youth on the Avenues of Salt Lake City. She was mother to Rex, Ked, Kee, Rob, Jan, Jeff and Sue, three children passing away before her, Kee in 2007, Jan in 2010 and Rex in 2011.
Carol Backman Munro Active in sales and realty for many years and also in her community in California over the past several years in the arts Carol lost her daughter Robyn Leary Mancini earlier this year. She has made her home for many years in the Oakland, San Francisco and Napa Valley areas of California.
Jill Backman Jones recently gaining emeritis status from the University of Nevada, Reno she has just completed a book portraying the women who labor in the casino industry. Her husband, Utah painter Earl Jones and she have traveled extensively as she has studied and taught. They have 3 children, Nathan, Sarah and Sam.
Ralph McCullough Backman, 'Mac' passed away November 4, 2001 in the San Francisco, California. He is survived by his wife Toshiko. Graduting from the U of U in Journalism he followed sports closely, writing for the Vallejo Herald. He served in the US Air force. An avid golfer, he was proud of his holes-in-one, taking the opportunity to play in many places he went while driving 20 years with the Franciscan Coach Lines.
Rod Backman Musician and Seattle Library IT specialist, Rod has played in many groups and many places. He plays Bass Violin and has been in orchestras in Mexico, Blue Grass bands in the Pacific Northwest, and assisted other artist in studio sessions throughout the US.

Janet Courtney is mother to 2 daughters. She has resided in the Scotsdale area for many years where she is an avid golfer.