Dianne Theresa Monteiro Obituary (1946

Dianne Theresa Monteiro was born March 9, 1946 in Niantic, CT to Margaret Monteiro. Dianne was taken into Foster Care and was raised by Mr. Florencio and Mrs. Ivy Moreno on Platt Street, Bridgeport, CT. Dianne attended Central High School from 1961-1965. After High School she met and married Ernest Raymond Wiggins Sr. in 1966 where they had 3 beautiful children. Dianne began driving school buses and city buses for Stratford Bus Lines in the early 70s, She was eager to drive the Coach Bus but the company did not allow women to operate coach buses. She moved onto Cross country coach in Milford, CT about 1979 where they did allow her to drive a coach bus. Dianne also was briefly employed at Chestnut Hill and Parlor Car where she made long lasting friendships. When the opportunity came she began driving for Peter Pan/Arrow for 30 years. During her time driving she was requested by tour companies including Friendship Tours. Dianne also drove for the Barnum Festival Roadshow for over 10 years in which she called it her "baby". She received numerous awards for Driver of the year and driver safety. Dianne retired from Driving in 2015 at the age of 69, it was then her goal to spend time with her family and grandchildren and that she did. Dianne was a member of Resurrected Life Apostolic Church, where she volunteered at the church's food pantry, was a giver to others and loved dearly. Dianne is survived by her son Ernest R. Wiggins Jr. of Bridgeport, CT; daughters, Regina Whitaker of Dallas, TX and Dawn Wiggins-Ely (Sean Ely Sr.) of Bridgeport, CT; her grandchildren, Ernest R Wiggins III, Deon Wiggins, Raven Wiggins, Gregory Norwood Jr., Jasmine Norwood, Ricky Whitaker, Sean Ely Jr., Daquan Ely, Tyree Ely, Tyler Ely and great grandson Jasai Wiggins; her sister Lynda Halder of Las Vegas, NV; and a host of aunts, and cousins of the Monteiro, Santos and Borges Family. Dianne is predeceased by her brother Wayne Monteiro; sister Consuela Foxworth; and mother Margaret Santos (Monteiro). Dianne was the first woman in the State of Connecticut to drive/operate a coach bus. She was a trailblazer and mentor to many men and especially women who wanted to drive a coach bus. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 26, 2021 at 10:00 AM, Bethel Memorial Deliverance Church, 1242 State Street, Bridgeport, CT. Family will receive guest from 9:00 AM until time of service at the church. Interment will take place at Mt. Grove, Harvester Road, Easton, CT. Calling Hours Bethel Memorial Deliverance Church Saturday, June 26, 2021 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM 1242 State Street Bridgeport, Connecticut Funeral Service Bethel Memorial Deliverance Church Saturday, June 26, 2021 10:00 AM 1242 State Street Bridgeport, Connecticut Interment MT. Grove Cemetery - Easton Saturday, June 26, 2021 11:30 AM Harvester Road Easton, CT