Linda Jean Bolton, 74, loving wife of 48 years of Daniel; beloved mother of Brian and Doug (Katie); devoted grandmother of Becca, Patrick, James, and Whitney; cherished sister of Jill (the late Pete) Langdon, Jerry Leahy, the late Larry Leahy, Jeanine (the late George) Taseff, and Robert Leahy; and loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.

Linda was born in Chicago, IL and moved to Danville, IL as a child.  After graduating from Schlarman High School in 1966, she attended Illinois State University where she earned both a Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Education.

Linda was passionate about serving others.  In her 40+ years in education, she was both a teacher and guidance counselor, spending the last 33 years of her professional career at North Ridge Middle School in Danville.  She wholeheartedly cared for every child who came into her classroom or office.  In addition to her professional career, Linda also served others through her volunteer work at local food pantries, her children's schools (St. Paul's Catholic Grade School and Schlarman High School), and parish.  At St. Paul's Catholic Church in Danville, Linda also served as a volunteer CCD teacher.  Linda never met a person she wouldn't help or a problem she couldn't solve.  She lived to help others.

While Linda enjoyed serving others both professionally and through her volunteer work, her true passion was spending time with her friends and family, especially her grandchildren, later in life.  Her grandchildren's favorite activities to do with her included going out to eat for pancakes, baking sweet treats, reading funny books, completing challenging puzzles, and playing board games and with Playdoh.   Also, Linda loved spending weekday evenings and weekend mornings cheering for her grandchildren on the baseball diamond and soccer, flag football, basketball, and lacrosse fields.

In-state visitation will be Tuesday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. with a Mass of Christian Burial to begin at 11 a.m., both at Mary Seat of Wisdom, 920 W. Granville Ave., Park Ridge. Interment to follow at Town of Maine Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Linda's name to either the Danville Public School Foundation ( www.DPSF.org ) or St. Paul's Catholic Parish in Danville, IL ( www.StPaulDanville.org ).