Linda Rabideau

WILMINGTON—Linda Kathleen Rabideau, 75, of Wilmington, passed away Aug. 8, 2025.
Born April 15, 1950, in Joliet, Linda was the eldest daughter of Leo and Joan M. (Crawford) Van Duyne. She grew up in Wilmington, graduated with the Wilmington High School class of 1968, and went on to attend Joliet Junior College.
After high school, Linda began her career at Walgreens Pharmacy in Wilmington. On Aug. 21, 1971, she married the love of her life, Gary P. Rabideau, at St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington. Together, they built a loving home and raised two sons. Linda was a devoted wife and mother, and later enjoyed working part-time at Courtyard Candles alongside her aunt and cousin.
Linda’s life was rooted in her faith and community. A lifelong member of St. Rose Parish, she devoted countless hours to St. Rose School, serving on the PTO, organizing Market Day, the annual carnival, and helping establish the school’s beloved hot dog lunches. She shared her musical talents in the church choir during the holidays, and sang with the funeral choir, as well as in the guitar group. For more than 15 years, she graciously oversaw the dining room at the parish’s annual Turkey Dinner.
In her free time, Linda was an avid reader who found joy in traveling. She spent over 40 years enjoying summers at the Lake of the Ozarks and 25 years making annual trips to Maui, where she formed treasured lifelong friendships. She loved boating with Gary, playing board games and cards, and had an enduring passion for music and dance.
Family was the center of Linda’s world. She cherished her close bond with her siblings and was especially proud to be “Mimi” to her grandchildren. Whether playing on the floor, shooting hoops, or inventing games like “Papa Land,” she delighted in every moment with them. She attended their events faithfully, cheering them on as their biggest fan.
Linda will be remembered for her warm smile, her genuine kindness, and her ability to make lasting friendships. She never met a stranger, and once you were befriended by Linda, you had a friend for life. Her generosity of spirit and love for others leave a legacy that will be treasured by all who knew her.
Survivors include her husband of nearly 54 years, Gary; two sons and daughters-in-law: Jeff and Valerie Rabideau, of Wilmington and Todd and Kristin Rabideau, of Chicago; grandchildren: Ava Rabideau, Chase Rabideau, Will Rabideau and Wren Rabideau; siblings: Jackie (Willard) Johnston and Leo (Cathy) Van Duyne, both of Wilmington, Connie (Tom) McQuinn, of Walworth, WI; Patrick Van Duyne, of Morris; Dennis (Gayle) Van Duyne, of Henderson, NV and Leslie (Bill) Shorkey, of Wilmington; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Nola and Doug Johnston, and numerous, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, not to forget her best and most dear friends: Diane Johnson, Dawn Fox, Nancy Duffy and Marcy Quinn.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents, Leo and Joan Van Duyne and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Buck and Rita Rabideau.
The family will receive friends for a visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 E. Kahler Rd. in Wilmington on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025 between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. Funeral services will follow Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, meeting at St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 S. Kankakee St. in Wilmington at 10 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Reverend Sebastian Gargol will preside, and Deacon Jay Plese will assist. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services, and Linda will be privately laid to rest in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington at a later date.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Linda’s memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 S. Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.
Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs and share Linda’s memorial page online through social media.
Funeral services and cremation arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory.