Deborah “Debbie” Ruth Castonguay of Plano, Texas passed away September 15, 2021 at the age of 75. She was born on January 17, 1946 to Henry Nehman and Edna Ziff in Queens, New York. Debbie was a graduate of Elmira Free Academy. She married the late Richard Castonguay, Jr. on April 27, 1974 in Syracuse, New York. They moved to Broken Bow, Oklahoma shortly after where they raised their family. Debbie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. She will be missed dearly by those who knew and loved her.
Debbie enjoyed being a mother and adored her grandchildren. She would light up when she saw them. Debbie loved spending time with her family and friends. She was adventurous and loved to travel. Debbie lived in Denmark and traveled around Europe in her twenties. She was a fabulous cook and loved to listen to audiobooks. The ocean was her favorite place to spend time. Debbie battled MS for over 40 years with determination and a smile on her face.
She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Gerk and husband, Jordan of McKinney, Texas; sons, Michael Castonguay and wife, Jennifer Dawn of Oklahoma and Jeffrey Castonguay and wife, Priscilla of Palmetto, Florida; grandchildren, Jael Castonguay, Cameron Dahlem, Hailey Dahlem, Jenna Castonguay, J.J. Castonguay, Kylie Castonguay, Laynie Castonguay, and Logan Gerk; great-grandchild, Zoey Castonguay; sister, JoEllen Ziff-Parker of Fayetteville, Georgia; brother, Harry Nehman of Nassau, New Hampshire; sister, Roberta Karpel of Brunswick, New Jersey; numerous cousins, nephews, other loving family and friends.
Debbie was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Castonguay, Jr.; parents, Henry Nehman and Edna Ziff; and sister, Susan Ziff.
A private family service will be held on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at Mission Ridge Residential in Plano where she resided for the last several years. The family is planning a private memorial next summer in Newburyport, Massachusetts.