Theresa Lyn Corless, affectionately known as Cory, passed away on May

27th, 2024 in the town of Newmarket, Ontario. She was born on September

30, 1946 to Theresa Constance Durling (nee Martin) and Albert Llewellyn

Durling in the city of Toronto. Cory (Theresa) was a person who enriched

the lives of all those around her. She was a kind hearted, warm loving

person and dedicated to her loving husband and life partner Andrew V.

Paganin whom she met in 1988. She is survived by her brother-in-law

Dennis Paganin, niece Holly and mother-in-law Dina Paganin. Other

family members pre-deceased include brothers Russell and Gordon

Durling, and sisters Charlotte and Shirley.

Cory (Theresa) went to Northview Heights Secondary School in

Willowdale where her parents resided after moving from Toronto. There

her friends commonly called her Terry. She was a student of very high

academic abilities and achievement and therefore graduated high school

earlier.

Her passion for Latin and Ballroom dancing led her way into a career

in the arts. After receiving many awards for her talents, Cory became a

professional teacher leading others to their own dance goals.

Her capacity for choreography and music interpretation brought her

even greater rewards. As a teacher, she designed and developed programs

and teaching techniques that also applied to other subjects and these won

her acclaim from other professionals in the fields of education, health and

community services.

Cory further displayed her communication skills through written

works and manuals, presentations, poetry, compositions and lyrics.

Cory worked for a number of different studios over the years including

“Arthur Murray’s,” “Fred Astaire’s” and eventually her own studios

including “World of Dance” and “The School of All Creative Training.”

She was affectionately referred to as Ms. Choreographer, which

eventually got abbreviated to Ms. Cory and hence the name Cory became

her identity.

Part of her skill set led her to New York where she was annually hired

as an adjudicator for a number of international dance competitions. She

further worked as a volunteer guest hosting on a number of Labour Day

Telethons where she worked alongside such Canadians as William Shatner

and Paul Anka.

In the 1970’s, with her business partner Bob Sousa (nephew of

American composer John Philip Sousa), Cory created and started a new

trend in the industry known as dancercise. This new idea in exercising

took off quite immensely and a number of studios popped up in both

Canada and the U.S. offering this new idea.

Later on in her developing business career, Cory expanded into other

ventures where she created “Hylane Productions.” She began working on a

number of different artistic ventures. Among her many talents included

both writing and painting. She wrote and copyrighted a book in 1987

entitled “The Key, The Theory of Omphalosity”, a book dedicated to

defining true unconditional love.

In 1990, Cory and Andrew opened Sound Strokes Studios Recording

and Production House in Markham, Ontario. The two of them combined

their talents writing a number of songs and producing for others. Together

they worked on numerous aspects of musical production and then further

expanded into music education as well. In 1993, the two of them left their

mark in the industry by winning a songwriters award for the song, “I’ve

Been Through It All.”

Cory’s presence will be greatly missed by many people who have

come to know her as the wonderful loving and talented person she truly

was.