We will send an invite after you submit!
In memory of
Mrs. Dianne Joan Anderson-Tolerson
Photo
Dianne's obituary
At the age of six, Dianne and her mother moved to Portland, Oregon to be with her dad who was stationed there to entertain the soldiers at U.S.O clubs. After her parent’s separation in 1948, Dianne and her mother moved to Seattle, Washington in which they only lived for a few years. In 1952, at the age of ten they moved back to Buffalo, New York where she spent the majority of her life.
As a teenager, Dianne enjoyed many actives like football games, dances, movies and hanging out with her friends. In her sophomore year at East High School she became a cheerleader. At the age of seventeen, she became a member of the Church of God at 526 High Street in Buffalo. Shortly after joining the church, she gave her heart to the Lord under the teaching of Reverend Eugene Oden.
On April 1, 1961, at the age of nineteen, Dianne got married to Douglas Goggins Jr. After years of living in Buffalo, they moved to Grand Island, New York where they raised their five children together until they parted ways in 1984.
As the children became older, Dianne decided that she wanted to go back to school and get a college education. In April of 1984, she was accepted to Niagara University in which she earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Dianne was a full-time student and worked a college work-study job to earn extra money while she was raising her three youngest children. For eighteen months during the years of 1987-1988, she volunteered as a hotline operator at the largest shelter for battered women in Buffalo called Haven House. The shelter also serviced areas such as Southern Ontario, Canada and Pennsylvania. She was very passionate about helping battered women. Dianne raised a lot of money for Haven House by putting on fundraisers to buy items such as clothes, shoes, cribs and strollers. She also set up a self-help library to encourage women to get an education.
In May of 1990, Dianne graduated from Buffalo State College on the dean’s list and received her master’s degree in multidisciplinary studies (the study of Human Behavior).
After receiving her master’s degree, she knew that she had to work to try to earn make money for law school. So with her school credits she received in Elementary Education, she, with the help of her cousin Lois Johnson, applied for a substitute teaching position with the Buffalo Board of Education. She worked as a substitute teacher for seven years. She also worked as a Private Tutor & Homeschool Teacher.
In 1997, Dianne moved to Santa Monica, California to live closer to four of her five children and grandchildren. After a few years of living there, she was hired as an employee with the Santa Monica/Malibu School District to work as a substitute and long-term teacher.
In 1999, she found love again and married Shelby Russell Tolerson Sr. whom she had known since her young adult years from the Church of God. They lived in California together before moving to Las Vegas. They loved traveling, bowling and enjoyed each other’s company tremendously. After the passing of her beloved Shelby on January 3, 2020, she moved back to California to be closer to her children. She moved to the City of Menifee in an independent residence villa that she loved and became very involved with their activities, such as bingo, movie night and field trips. After she became ill, she moved to Los Angeles so she can be by the side of her family all of the time.
Even through the challenges she faced after her illness began, she remained the very funny, sweet, kind hearted, loving, and the woman of strength she always was. She made it very easy for people to love her. “To KNOW her was to LOVE her.” She enjoyed doing many things but enjoyed mostly just spending time with her family and laughing. One of Dianne’s proudest moments was becoming a published author. She wrote her story in a book titled “The Peach Tree” in 2007 under the publishing name J. Wells-Dickerson. Other proud moments she had was making guest appearances on three television shows speaking on the subject of domestic violence.
Dianne departed this life on May 24, 2021 at 12:59pm at the age of seventy-nine. She departed peacefully with her family by her bedside.
Her strong faith was an inspiration and a positive influence on many lives. Dianne’s infectious smile, laughter and warm heart will live with all forever.
She leaves to cherish her memory five children; Derek Gerald Goggins, Lisa Willice Goggins-Silva (Daryl), Jeffré Phillips-Goggins, Jennifer Goggins- Sturtz, Jason Goggins (Maura), and Steven E. Daniels (Kelli) who she always referred to as another son, ten grandchildren; Malaya, Jasmine, Jarrett, Javian, Chase, Soliel, Mayan, Ocean, Jacob and Ariel. She also has six stepchildren; Deborah D. Page, Shelena R Tolerson, Yvette M. Simmons (Allen), Shelby R. Tolerson Jr. (Nicole D), Latricia L. Randolph (Maurice), Mark E.Tolerson, a host of many step grandchildren and step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, a close childhood friend of sixty nine years- Paulette Gallagher, and a very special cousin who was more like a sister to her Lois Johnson.
Send to someone
Share this obituary with others
Want to stay updated?
Get notified when new photos, stories and other important updates are shared.
Send flowers
Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Dianne's family or funeral.
Send flowers
Share your sympathy. Send flowers from a local florist to Dianne's family or funeral.
Share this memorial website
How you can help
Share with others
Created with love by
Jennifer Sturtz (Dianne's daughter).
