Lynda Wiggins, former teacher who loved Ridgefield

Lynda Anne Kennedy Wiggins of 224 North Salem Road, a former teacher for whom Ridgefield was “God’s country,” died Saturday, Aug. 19, at Danbury Hospital. She was 55 years old.
Ms. Wiggins had lived here in the 1960s and early 1970s, then moved to Minnesota. When she returned to Connecticut some years ago, she lived in New Fairfield and Newtown until she could find the right place here. That happened two years ago.
“She was always in love with Ridgefield,” said her daughter, Christine Wiggins of Seneca, S.C. “She always wanted to come back. ‘Ridgefield is God’s country,’ she would always say.”
A native of Tulsa, Okla., Ms. Wiggins was born on Nov. 17, 1944, the daughter of Geraldine Kennedy of Ridgefield and the late Rev. William T. Kennedy, who was a minister in New Fairfield. She grew up in Rye, N.Y., and graduated from the University of Bridgeport. She also held a master’s degree in business administration from the Ancell School of Business at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury.
From 1968 to 1973, while living in Ridgefield, she taught social studies at Wilton High School. She retired from teaching to raise a family. “She was very family oriented,” said Ms. Wiggins.
The Wigginses lived in Fergus Falls, Minn., for 12 years before moving back to Connecticut. She rented here briefly before moving to New Fairfield, then Newtown.
Her interests included politics and she was active as the adviser for the Young Republicans Club at Ridgefield High School in the 1980s. She also worked for several GOP candidates. “She loved history and she loved politics,” her daughter said.
“She was fabulous at sewing,” Ms. Wiggins said, noting that when she and her brother were young, their mother made most of their clothing.
Ms. Wiggins was active in the First Congregational Church and in its Saturday evening series of contemporary services. “She was very religious,” said her daughter.
She also enjoyed reading, especially books on history and politics.
Besides her daughter and mother, Ms. Wiggins is survived by a son, John Samuel Wiggins of New York City and a brother, Thomas Kennedy of Mora, Minn. Charles Wiggins, her former husband, also survives her.
The Rev. Dale Rosenberger will conduct a memorial service today, Thursday, at 4 p.m. at the First Congregational Church.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Datahr, 135 Old State Road, Brookfield, CT 06804.