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August 4, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 2-5pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ.
A funeral service will be held at 5pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the funeral home immediately following the visiting hours.
Linda D. Rapp (née Wanke), age 80, of Wayne, New Jersey, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Linda was the younger of two children born to the late Willard and Helen Wanke. She spent her formative years in California before returning to New Jersey. Throughout her professional career, Linda worked as a paralegal and administrative assistant, ultimately dedicating more than twenty years of service as an Administrative Assistant at William Paterson University in Wayne. She retired in 2014 after a long and distinguished career marked by professionalism, kindness, and unwavering dedication.
In 1969, Linda met the love of her life, Raymond Rapp, during a chance encounter at a park in Newark, New Jersey. It was truly love at first sight. They were married on August 14, 1969, beginning a remarkable journey together that would span more than five decades. The couple first made their home in Harrison, New Jersey, in a two-family house owned by Ray's family, where they welcomed their beloved daughters, Christine and Holly. In 1975, as their family grew, they moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, where they built a lifetime of cherished memories and remained ever since.
Linda embraced her role as a devoted wife and mother, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to raising her family. She never missed an opportunity to support her daughters, faithfully attending their sporting events, school activities, and every milestone throughout their lives. Together, Linda and Ray shared a love of golf and enjoyed many years as members of the Packanack Lake Golf Club, where they spent countless hours on the course with family and friends.
A woman of deep Catholic faith, Linda was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Pompton Lakes for many years.
As a young woman, Linda loved horseback riding and cherished her Welsh pony, reflecting the adventurous spirit that would remain with her throughout her life. Later, she found great joy in surf fishing, traveling with Ray, and exploring the world alongside their close-knit circle of friends. Together they visited many unforgettable destinations, including Europe, Alaska, Bermuda, the Grand Canyon, and numerous Caribbean islands. Among Linda's most treasured traditions were the annual family vacations to the Jersey Shore, especially Long Beach Island and Sandy Hook, where generations of cherished memories were created.
Linda was an exceptional cook who delighted in preparing homemade family dinners and holiday feasts that brought everyone together. Her culinary talents spanned many cuisines, including Szechuan cooking, which she enthusiastically studied through cooking classes. She was also a gifted seamstress who lovingly designed and handcrafted beautiful dresses and imaginative Halloween costumes for her daughters and, later, for her cherished grandchildren.
Above all else, Linda's greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family. Nothing brought her greater happiness than caring for those she loved and spending time with family and friends. She and Ray shared fifty-four years of unwavering love, devotion, and partnership until his passing in 2023. Linda possessed a warm and welcoming personality, with a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went. Her kindness, generosity, infectious smile, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Linda's legacy lives on through the family she so dearly loved and the countless lives she touched. Her love, strength, and compassion will continue to inspire those who knew her, and she will be deeply missed by all.
Linda is survived by her daughters, Christine Rogan of Wayne, New Jersey, and Holly McAllen and her husband, Joseph, of Wayne, New Jersey; her brother, Timothy Wanke and his wife, Elyse, of Tennessee; and her five beloved grandchildren, Caitlyn Rogan, Liam Rogan, Connor McAllen, Kyra McAllen, and Cali McAllen. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Raymond Rapp, in 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Linda's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or Valley Hospice.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 2-5pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ.
A funeral service will be held at 5pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the funeral home immediately following the visiting hours.
August 4, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 2-5pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ.
A funeral service will be held at 5pm on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at the funeral home immediately following the visiting hours.
Linda D. Rapp (née Wanke), age 80, of Wayne, New Jersey, peacefully passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, with her loving family by her side.
Born in Montclair, New Jersey, Linda was the younger of two children born to the late Willard and Helen Wanke. She spent her formative years in California before returning to New Jersey. Throughout her professional career, Linda worked as a paralegal and administrative assistant, ultimately dedicating more than twenty years of service as an Administrative Assistant at William Paterson University in Wayne. She retired in 2014 after a long and distinguished career marked by professionalism, kindness, and unwavering dedication.
In 1969, Linda met the love of her life, Raymond Rapp, during a chance encounter at a park in Newark, New Jersey. It was truly love at first sight. They were married on August 14, 1969, beginning a remarkable journey together that would span more than five decades. The couple first made their home in Harrison, New Jersey, in a two-family house owned by Ray's family, where they welcomed their beloved daughters, Christine and Holly. In 1975, as their family grew, they moved to the Packanack Lake section of Wayne, where they built a lifetime of cherished memories and remained ever since.
Linda embraced her role as a devoted wife and mother, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to raising her family. She never missed an opportunity to support her daughters, faithfully attending their sporting events, school activities, and every milestone throughout their lives. Together, Linda and Ray shared a love of golf and enjoyed many years as members of the Packanack Lake Golf Club, where they spent countless hours on the course with family and friends.
A woman of deep Catholic faith, Linda was a devoted parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Pompton Lakes for many years.
As a young woman, Linda loved horseback riding and cherished her Welsh pony, reflecting the adventurous spirit that would remain with her throughout her life. Later, she found great joy in surf fishing, traveling with Ray, and exploring the world alongside their close-knit circle of friends. Together they visited many unforgettable destinations, including Europe, Alaska, Bermuda, the Grand Canyon, and numerous Caribbean islands. Among Linda's most treasured traditions were the annual family vacations to the Jersey Shore, especially Long Beach Island and Sandy Hook, where generations of cherished memories were created.
Linda was an exceptional cook who delighted in preparing homemade family dinners and holiday feasts that brought everyone together. Her culinary talents spanned many cuisines, including Szechuan cooking, which she enthusiastically studied through cooking classes. She was also a gifted seamstress who lovingly designed and handcrafted beautiful dresses and imaginative Halloween costumes for her daughters and, later, for her cherished grandchildren.
Above all else, Linda's greatest joy and proudest accomplishment was her family. Nothing brought her greater happiness than caring for those she loved and spending time with family and friends. She and Ray shared fifty-four years of unwavering love, devotion, and partnership until his passing in 2023. Linda possessed a warm and welcoming personality, with a remarkable ability to make friends wherever she went. Her kindness, generosity, infectious smile, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
Linda's legacy lives on through the family she so dearly loved and the countless lives she touched. Her love, strength, and compassion will continue to inspire those who knew her, and she will be deeply missed by all.
Linda is survived by her daughters, Christine Rogan of Wayne, New Jersey, and Holly McAllen and her husband, Joseph, of Wayne, New Jersey; her brother, Timothy Wanke and his wife, Elyse, of Tennessee; and her five beloved grandchildren, Caitlyn Rogan, Liam Rogan, Connor McAllen, Kyra McAllen, and Cali McAllen. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Raymond Rapp, in 2023.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Linda's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society or Valley Hospice.
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