Bernadette (Nicole) Humbert Backenstoss, 87, of Reading, passed away peacefully Thursday 24th November, 2016. She was married for 43 years to the late Henry Brightbill Backenstoss. Born in Paris, France, on April 2nd, 1929, she was the daughter of the late Roger Humbert and Marthe Morand Humbert. After World War II, Nicky managed a shop of fine luxury items in Paris. It was there that she met her future husband, Henry, an American tourist who wandered into her store. Nicky was the only salesperson who spoke English! A year later, they were married. In 1954, Nicky and Henry settled in Boston where she opened a similar shop and called it "Mademoiselle de Paris." In 1959, along with their newborn daughter, Martine, they relocated to Beirut, Lebanon and lived there until 1970. There, she became very involved with volunteering beginning at the coffee shop at the American University of Beirut Hospital, and later became head of the hospital's volunteer service. Nicole's dedication and hard work won her many lifelong friends in and outside the medical community in Lebanon. Her work in Beirut had so impressed the Imperial Organization of Social Services headed by the sister of the Shah that she was invited to Iran to help create a similar volunteering service in their hospitals. She returned to the United States in 1970 with her family and settled in Reading, PA, where she became a well-known patroness of the arts. Her passion for music led her to become involved with the Reading Musical Foundation Board and later with the Star Series where she took an active role in selecting many world class musicians to come perform in Reading. Nicky loved to cook, travel, entertain and most of all, she loved people. Her laughter and "joie de vivre" will be missed by everyone who knew her. Nicky made the world a better place simply by being in it. She is survived by her beloved daughter Dr. Martine S. Backenstoss, son-in-law David B. Altman, and her two beautiful granddaughters Camille Henrietta and Zoe Juliette. In Christ Episcopal Church, 435 Court Street, Reading, a funeral service will be held on Saturday 3rd of December, at 1:30 pm. Burial will be the following day, Sunday 4th of December, in Fort Lincoln Cemetery, Brentwood, MD. Friends may call Saturday from 1 to 1:30 p.m. in the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Reading Musical Foundation, P.O. Box 14835, Reading, PA 19612 or Berks Youth Chorus, 201 Washington Street, Suite 529, Reading, PA 19601 or Hope Hall School, 1612 Buffalo Road, Rochester, NY 14624. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.