Maureen Tonge, 52, made her final transition on her healing journey at home on October 5, 2020, surrounded by her loving husband, her twin, and her parents. Her younger sisters, extended family, and friends supported her from afar.
Born in Saint John and raised in Quispamsis, New Brunswick, Maureen called Yellowknife her second home since 1992 when she moved North to begin her teaching career. She spent her entire profession teaching Art, French, Yoga/Fitness, CALM, and other subjects at École Sir John Franklin High School where she gifted students and colleagues alike with her unending passion, joyful enthusiasm, and positive energy. Kundalini yoga became her calling over many years and she travelled to Toronto, India, Greece, and New Mexico following her dream and making lifelong friends from around the world. More recently, she was a founder “soul” of Collective Soul Space where she introduced many Yellowknifers to this calling.
She married her life partner, Robert Charpentier, on July 18, 2009 in “Maritime Kitchen Party” style and their two families have remained lovingly intertwined ever since. She is survived by “her rock” Robert, her adoring parents Raymond & Diane Tonge; beloved twinnie, Kirsten; and loving younger sisters, Jocelyn (Greg, Keltie & Seth) Smith; and Melanie (Sean, Gillian & Hilary) McClelland, her stepchildren, her sweet Tillie, as well as her extended family of many aunts, uncles, and cousins and the “Castor Clan” extended Charpentier family. She is predeceased by her precious stepson, “Lukey” Charpentier, her Alexander and Tonge grandparents, her Uncles Gren Alexander and Ken Golding, father-in-law, Nap Charpentier, brother-in-law, Richard Griebel, and her beloved Scooby.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to Maureen’s extensive network of friends within Yellowknife and around the world who have supported her healing journey over the almost 20 months since her diagnosis with glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer). The volume of expressions of love has been overwhelming and so appreciated.
A Celebration of Life will be held at some point in the future. Donations in her memory may be made to The Maureen Tonge “Living Your Legacy” Fund through Yellowknife Community Foundation.
How to donate
Donations can be made on our website, online through CanadaHelps.org or you can use your credit card to make donations directly to the Foundation by mail, e-mail or phone.
You can also complete the donation form and mail it to the Yellowknife Community Foundation at:
Yellowknife Community Foundation
P.O. Box 1620
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2P2
