Ruth Dingee Backer, restaurateur

Frances “Ruth” Dingee Backer of Sarasota, Fla., who had been a restaurant owner here, died March 14, 2004,  in Florida. She was 93 years old.
Mrs. Backer was born on Jan. 10, 1911, in Redding, a daughter of Roswell and Minnie Jellife Dingee. She grew up in Ridgefield and lived much of her life here.
During the 1930s, she had been a waitress at the old Outpost Inn on Danbury Road, now the site of Fox Hill condominiums. In the 1940s, with her husband John Backer, she owned The White Spot Restaurant on Main Street, about where Subway is today.
Mrs. Backer moved to Sarasota in 1957, but continued to spend the summers here for many years and would work as a waitress at Luigi’s Restaurant in Branchville during those periods.
She had been a member of Jesse Lee Memorial United Methodist Church and of its Epworth League. She had also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star, Stella Chapter 55, in Danbury.
Until recently, Mrs. Backer had maintained her own house in Florida and even at the age of 92, would walk daily to the local shopping center where she met with others for morning coffee.
Survivors include a daughter, Dorothy Freivogel of Sarasota; a granddaughter, Sally Legan of Ridgefield; two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Michelle Legan of Ridgefield; three nephews, Robert Dingee of Denmark, Maine, and Port Charlotte, Fla., Arthur Dingee of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Richard Dingee of Westport, former assistant fire chief here.
Two brothers, William and Art Dingee, and a niece, Helen Feduzi, died before her.
A memorial graveside service will take place Saturday, May 22, at 12:30 in the Ridgefield Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Pines of Sarasota, 1501 N. Orange Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236.
The Kane Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.