Gina Backstrom

Gina Backstrom, 51, passed away peacefully on January 7th, 2012 at her home in Lawrenceville, GA, surrounded by her loved ones.

A native of Diriamba, Nicaragua, Gina came to the United States in 1980 and lived in Miami, Washington, DC and Winter Haven, FL before settling in Lawrenceville with her family in 1994. Gina was a devoted wife and mother who cherished spending time with her husband and children as well as visiting her extended family in Florida, Iowa and South Carolina. Prior to becoming ill, Gina held positions in information technology, pharmaceutical supplies and retail sales. She was part of the grand opening team when Dillards opened its location at the Mall of Georgia. Gina loved to cook Nicaragua dishes and was known to whip up an excellent flan. To all of us who witnessed Ginas valiant battle against brain cancer for the past 13 years, she was and will continue to be an inspiration.

Gina is survived by her husband of 25 years, Jim Backstrom, sons Kyle and Shawn Backstrom, her mother Rosa Espinoza, her father Danilo Luna, her sisters Rosa Espinoza, Ana Maria Espinoza, Maria Hilma Luna, Maria Lissette Luna and Juana Luna, brothers Danilo Jose Luna, Silvio Jose Luna, Danilo Luna, Ivan Espinoza and Marcelino Espinoza and many other loving family members.

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life memorial service at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 319 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville, GA on Saturday, January 14th at 2:00PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ginas memory may be made to the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University, Development Office, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30322.

Arrangements by Byars Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 155 Professional Park Drive, Cumming, Georgia. (678) 455-5815.