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Teresa Castonguay Obituary
Teresa Castonguay, 71, passed away suddenly on October 29, 2024, on her farm in Warkworth, Ontario.
A Thunder Bay native, Teresa graduated in 1973 from Confederation College. She sang with bar bands and performed locally as an actor/singer, including “Moonlight Melodrama” and Magnus Theatre’s “Trafford Tanzi”. In 1984, she began her career as an Arts Administrator at KAM Theatre Collective. After several years, she obtained a Canada Council grant to study and intern in Europe, and then made the tough decision to leave the North. In 1989 she became General Manager of Toronto’s Native Earth Theatre, collaborating with artistic director Tomson Highway.
Then the year 1991 changed her life. A confirmed “cat person,” Teresa decided to adopt a dog – Tess – and fell in love with everything Border Collie: flyball, obedience, agility. In 1992, she moved to a position at the Ontario Arts Council as a Cultural Officer, and shortly after co-founded Border Collie Rescue Ontario with Janet Arthur.
Toronto increasingly seemed like an awkward fit. She needed a farm and a small flock of sheep! In the late 90’s, she moved to Northumberland County. With the help of kind local mentors, she began to learn about farming and sheepherding. She put her passion for music and performance into action as co-ordinator of Business and Development at Westben Theatre, under artistic director Brian Finley. She started growing her own vegetables. She connected with the Ontario Border Collie Club and most recently served as Secretary. Other Border Collies came to replace Tess.
In 2015, she retired from Westben. One of her emotional bedrocks was singing in the Kaufmann’s “Tea ‘n’ Tunes” weekly musical sessions. She took up the ukulele. She became a skilled cook and loved providing food for social and herding events. She had time to share her love of football with her brother Tim. Finally, she gave back by becoming a mentor for others in arts and non-profit administration by training grant writers as part of “Grant Connect,” a program for grant research in the region. At the time of her death, she was working on a mystery novel.
She is survived by her beloved Border Collies, Deacon and King, and by her brother Tim and his partner Sandy Ryder. She will be missed by her nephews Tracy, Thomas, and Todd, as well as great-nephews and nieces Tyler, Takoda, Todd Jr., Tage, Nate, Saje, Kayla, and great-great niece Noel. She will be mourned by her dozens of friends. Respecting Teresa’s wishes, cremation will take place. There will be a Celebration of Life in Warkworth, Ontario, at the end of March 2025.
Donations to the Ontario Border Collie Club’s “That’ll Do Award,” an award in Teresa’s name, would be appreciated by the family. E-transfers may be sent to treasurerobcc@gmail.com with the comment “In memory of Teresa” in the message box Online memories and condolences may be found on the “In Honour of Teresa Castonguay” fb page, and at www.weaverfuneralhomes.com
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January 14 1953
October 29 2024
Death notice for the town of: Warkworth, Province: Ontario
death notice Teresa Castonguay January 14 1953
October 29 2024
obituaries notice Teresa Castonguay January 14 1953
October 29 2024
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Teresa Castonguay January 14 1953
October 29 2024 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
