Obituary of Linda Rigdon

Linda Ann Rigdon died December 20, 2015, in Delray Beach, Florida. Born August 7, 1945, in Washington, D.C., she was a graduate of Mount Vernon High School who lived in Fauquier County for three decades. During that time, she was a dedicated Virginia equestrienne, foxhunting as often as possible and also breeding thoroughbred racehorses. She worked as a secretary, most notably at O'Connell & Mayhugh and also at the Highland School. After leaving Virginia, she lived in Cape May, N.J., for many years and then moved to South Florida, where she became an orchid enthusiast and able first mate. Throughout her life, Linda maintained a love for photography and for her many pets.

She leaves behind beloved sons Patrick Shawn Dubenitz of Charlottesville, Va., and Joel Michael Dubenitz of Washington, D.C., and Joel's wife, Stacie Birenbach, and their son, Eli. She is also survived by her brother, Jesse Rigdon Jr., his wife, Betty, and their children, Eric, Brittany and Ginger; and sister, Pat Kowalski, her husband Walter, and their children Walter, Scott and Kim. Her father, Jesse Rigdon Sr., and mother, Virginia Chamberlain Pharo, predeceased her. Her partner of eight years, Richard Kendall, of Palm City, Fla., visited Linda regularly during her illness with their much adored malamute dog, Bella, a trained therapy pet they had taken on many rounds to area hospitals and nursing homes.

Linda died of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer with which she was diagnosed July 21, 2015. She chose to undergo chemotherapy and radiation, which extended her life and its quality by several months, during which she enjoyed time with friends and family from near and far. The family is grateful for the kind assistance of Hospice of Palm Beach County.

A graveside service is planned for Sunday, January 17, 2016, at 2 p.m. at Little Fork Episcopal Church, 16461 Oak Shade Rd., Rixeyville, Va 22747, where she will be interred next to her late father. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Brain Tumor Society (GBM Research) http://defeatgbm.org.