Linda Theriot Rappold

August 3, 1951–October 18, 2026

Linda Theriot Rappold (née Linda Susan Theriot) was born on August 3, 1951 in New Orleans, Louisiana to Clarence Theriot Jr. and Patty Theriot (née Brown), both of whom preceded her in death. Linda, dear wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away on October 18, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona at the age of 75 from Alzheimer’s. Linda is survived by her husband and soulmate of 55 years, William “Bill” Rappold II, their two children, Tressa Rappold (Marc Edwards) and Jason Rappold (Becky Rappold), and three grandchildren, Tyler Rappold, Morgan Edwards, and Saige Edwards. Linda also leaves behind her sisters and brother, Nancy, Judy, Janice, and David Theriot, as well as her aunt, Terry Ely, and her cousin, Rebecca Jensen, and many other cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relations.

As a very young child, Linda lived in Algiers, Louisiana and attended Saint Andrews Catholic school. The family moved to Metairie when Linda was around 6 years old. Linda attended Saint Mary Magdalen elementary school and Chapelle High School. She enjoyed math, student council, and speech and debate.

As a junior in high school, Linda met Bill, a senior. The two began dating in 1967 and were together from that point forward. Linda graduated in 1969 and studied for one year at the University of New Orleans, after which she left college temporarily and worked at Pan American Life Insurance.

Linda and Bill married on December 18, 1970. They lived in New Orleans while Bill completed his degree at Tulane, after which he entered the US Navy. Linda and he were first sent to Norfolk, Virginia for training and then made the move to Honolulu, Hawaii, where Bill was stationed from 1972-1976.

On April 11, 1973, Linda gave birth to Tressa. Despite long stretches of separation from Bill, the young family enjoyed the island and the other Navy families they befriended, and hosted many visitors from the mainland.

In 1976, the family moved to Alabama so Bill could attend Auburn University for his master’s degree while Linda worked part-time at Sears. On April 27, 1977, Linda gave birth to Jason, and their family was complete.

After Bill’s graduation in 1978, the family moved to Glendale, Arizona. Linda went back to school, first at Glendale Community College and then Arizona State University. She earned her Associate in Arts degree with honors from GCC and her business degree from ASU with the distinction of magna cum laude. She began working as an accountant and started her own bookkeeping business, eventually transitioning to the Peoria Unified School District. She was respected and admired by her colleagues and made many good friends. After many years at PUSD, Linda helped get the newly formed vocational district, West-MEC, off the ground, retiring from there in 2009.

Both of the children had married in 2001, and Linda had become a sweet mother-in-law to Becky and Marc. Grandchildren weren’t far behind, with Tyler arriving in 2002, Morgan in 2003, and Saige in 2005. Linda took on the name Gamma and lavished her grandchildren with love.

Linda built a life rich with many experiences, such as traveling, camping, biking and hiking, attending Cardinals and Diamondbacks games and no end of her children and grandchildren’s events, doting on special pets, and above all, spending quality time with family and friends. She is remembered for her feisty personality, her sentimental nature, her intelligence and practicality, her sense of justice, her humor, and her devotion to family.

Bill cared for Linda in their home as long as possible, but in 2022, her needs intensified, and she moved to an assisted living facility very near to family, where she was well cared for and visited often.

Linda’s goodbye came on Sunday, October 18, 2026. In her final days she was surrounded by her family. She passed gently, and the last words she heard were that she was loved and to be at peace.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Linda’s life on Saturday, November 7, 2026 at 1:30pm. Please join us at Heritage Funeral Chapel, located at 6830 West Thunderbird Road in Peoria, AZ. To honor Linda’s memory, hold your loved ones close and tell them and show them that you love them, for that was what she cherished most of all.