On Friday, November 4, 2022, Diane M. Wilson passed peacefully surrounded by love. Her husband, Paul, of 67 years, passed only three months earlier. She leaves behind a son, David, from Stewart, Va.; daughter, Wendy, from Fernandina Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a nephew, and two nieces and their families.

Diane was born December 9, 1933, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Dennis and Dorothy Hevia. After moving to Bethel, Conn., when she was still a young girl, Diane attended Bethel schools and graduated from Bethel High School in 1951. She was affectionately known as “Ditty” by her classmates. Her nickname followed her throughout life as she maintained her friendships with the high school gang, hosting many pool picnics at her home in Sandy Hook, Conn.

After graduation from Bethel High School, Diane graduated with her bachelor’s degree and teaching certification in June, 1955 from Danbury State Teachers College, later named Western Connecticut State University. On July 9, 1955, Diane married Paul F. Wilson. After marriage, she began her teaching career in Woodbury, Conn. She was later hired to teach at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 1966 after taking some time to have her two children.

After retiring in 1988, she moved to Crossville, Tenn., for nine years. She was an active member and Deacon at Crossville First Congregational Church. Diane loved her career so much that she was a substitute teacher in Crossville for several years before moving to her final retirement home in Venice, Fla., in 1997. Diane was active in her high school Glee Club and continued to dabble in theater throughout her life. She was in productions with fellow teachers in Newtown, Conn., and later enjoyed performing with her neighbors in Japanese Gardens in Venice, Fla.

Services were held at Kay-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home on November 16, 2022. After cremation, her final resting place is with her late husband in Gulf Pines Memorial Park, Englewood, Fla. A memorial service will be held in the spring, in the Newtown area, for Diane and her husband Paul.