Margaret Jane Rau

Margaret J. “Meg” Rau, age 75, of Gurnee passed away on Friday, October 7th, 2022 in hospice with her loving family by her side. Meg was born on July 30th, 1947 in Chicago to Bob and Kay (Bellert) Washburn. She graduated from Maine West High School in Des Plaines in 1965 and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education in 1969 from Northern Illinois University.

Meg married Jim Rau at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Des Plaines on June 27th, 1970. She worked as a special education teacher for many years. Meg taught for multiple school districts including, Maine Township, IL, Hawthorne, NV, Springfield, IL, and Lake Forest, IL. She also was an administrative assistant with Quintiles Consulting and in Administration and Planning for Rich Paul Associates. She enjoyed traveling, especially attending the 1967 World Expo in Montréal, chaperoning the Warren Township High School Choir, and a tropical vacation with Jim to Antigua.

Meg was very active in many things and enjoyed giving her time to others. She was active in Girl Scouts. Meg was of a member of a group called the stargazers, which advanced her love of astronomy. Most of all she was proud to be active in was her faith. She taught CCD at St. Gilberts in Grayslake. She was a longtime and founding member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Gurnee, where she served on parish counsel, Eucharistic ministry, a lector, bible study, and other church groups. Meg was active in Santa Catalina parish in Tucson. Her greatest joy was not only the time she spent with her family but being able to pass her love of knowledge onto them.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Tom Washburn.

Meg is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jim Rau; three children, Matt Rau, Beth (Elon) Shaffer, and Dave Rau; two grandchildren, Simon and Amelia Shaffer; her brother, John (Judi) Washburn and a sister-in-law, Joy Washburn. Meg is further survived by nieces, nephews, and numerous friends.

A visitation for Margaret will be held Sunday, October 16, 2022 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Marsh Funeral Home, (305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, October 17, 2022 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, (6401 Gages Lake Road, Gurnee, IL 60031). A graveside service will immediately follow Mass on Monday at All Saints Cemetery, (700 N. River Rd.,, Des Plaines, IL 60016).

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MarshFuneralHome.com for the RAU family.