Obituary of Teresa Dowe Huggins

     Teresa Dowe Huggins, age 60, has gone into the light with peace in her heart and joy in her spirit. She lived a life of service to others. Her greatest joys were her husband Bill to whom she was married for 36 years, and her children Tara (Chicago, IL) and Mike (Reno, NV). Teresa was predeceased by her parents, Mary and Peter Dowe, her parents-in-law William and Deloras Huggins, and many beloved friends. She is survived by her sisters-in-law, Alice (Jim) Carr, Patricia Huggins, Kathleen Hurley, her brothers Steve (Judy) Dowe, Paul Dowe, Tom Goodwin and her sister Susan Mathis and many nieces and nephews.

     Teresa loved to learn and received degrees from SUNY Canton, SUNY Plattsburgh, and SUNY Oswego. She had an MS in Education and an MS in Counseling and Psychological Services. Teresa grew up in Watertown, NY and attended Immaculate Heart Central.

     Teresa was a creative and innovative teacher, counselor, speaker, and author. She saw solutions and found ways to design life to reach the desired outcomes. After 21 years in public schools in Cambridge, Weedsport, and Clinton, NY, she graduated and founded Leaders for Life International, a solution-focused training company that empowered others to pursue their dreams and live in alignment with their souls. One of her greatest achievements was to create a non-profit, L4L RIPPLE Foundation, to support teens to attend the summer programs that she designed and facilitated. She believed each person was a leader and that looked differently for everyone.

     As a Master Trainer for the Canfield Training Company, she designed programs for companies and schools that empowered employees and transformed workplaces. She loved facilitating retreats for women in beautiful nature settings- one of Teresa's greatest joys was when someone realized they could go further than they imagined.

     Teresa enjoyed practicing yoga, kayaking, hiking, dancing, swimming, and spending time with family and friends. She had a special place in her heart for the L4L family and was grateful for all the college students and adults who supported the program. Her final wishes were for people to live life vibrantly, to make a positive difference in their communities, and to BE the Solution. In her words, “It is through our presence that we create the greatest impact in other's lives.”

     Friends and family are invited to her calling hours at the Owens-Pavlot & Rogers Funeral Service, 35 College Street, Clinton, on Friday, August 19th from 12-2:30pm and 5-8pm. Teresa wanted to invite you to take a walk on the trails in the Kirkland Glen on Hamilton’s campus before joining her loved ones in a celebration of her life, which will take place at the Hamilton College Chapel on Saturday, August 20th at 12pm. A luncheon will follow at the Fillius Events Barn at Hamilton College for all to share their “remember whens.” She requested that guests wear bright-colored clothes, as this is a time of remembrance of the many joyful experiences we have all shared with Teresa.

     Please visit www.forteresa.com for details regarding live stream for the Celebration of Life and, in lieu of flowers, the opportunity to donate to Teresa’s memorial scholarship fund.

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