Ruth M. Castonguay, 84

LACONIA — Ruth May Castonguay, 84, of Bucks Court, Laconia, passed away peacefully on July 3, 2026, with her loving son Robert by her side. 

Ruth was born on Jan. 30, 1942, in Norwich, Connecticut, the daughter of the late John A. Masterson and Bertelli B. (Fournier) Masterson.

Ruth graduated from Winchester High School in Winchester, Massachusetts, on June 13, 1964. She married the love of her life, Robert J. Castonguay, and traveled with him along the eastern coast of the United States during his 10 years in U.S. Navy. They lived in Rhode Island, Virginia, Florida, and Texas, during these years.

Previously, she had moved from Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, and finally Massachusetts, with her parents, where her father worked as a CPA for the mills and in private practice.

Ruth enjoyed all of this traveling but was also very happy to settle down in Seabrook, in 1971, where her son Robert attended school. She was a writer for local newspapers while living in Seabrook. She moved one last time to Laconia, with her parents, husband and son, in 1984.

In Laconia, Ruth enjoyed working at City Hall for 16 years from 1987 to 2003. Upon retiring, she lived her golden years for another 23 years until 2026. 

She is survived by her son, Robert J. Castonguay Jr., and many nieces and nephews. 

Along with her parents, Ruth is predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Robert J. Castonguay, and her sister, Jean Masterson.

Ruth enjoyed having pets over the years, the latest being her dog "Ki" and her cat Chester. She also loved her family and had been a communicant of St. Joseph, Laconia.

Calling hours will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14, in the Carriage House at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

A chapel service will take place from 1 to 1:20 p.m., Wednesday, July 15, at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy, Boscawen. Ruth will be placed into the columbarium where she will be reunited with her husband.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.