Linda Carole Restea's Obituary
In Loving Memory of Linda Carole Restea
Fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, Linda Carole Restea, age 77, passed away peacefully at her home on June 18, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida.
Born on April 19th, 1949 in Quincy, Illinois, to Henry B. Geers and Mary Frances McDowell. She attended St. Rose of Lima elementary school and Notre Dame High School, graduating in 1967. She graduated from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing and the St. Francis Hospital School of Anesthesia in Peoria. She also received her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of St. Francis in Joliet, Illinois. She worked as a Nurse Anesthetist at St. Francis Hospital and Methodist Medical Center in Peoria, Pekin Memorial Hospital in Pekin, and several hospitals in the Gainesville, Florida area. She also taught Anesthesia part time at Illinois Central College.
Linda lived a life marked by love, kindness, and devotion to family and friends. She was known for her selfless generosity, and she touched the lives of everyone who knew her.
Linda worked as a nurse anesthetist for 43 years and took great pride in taking care of her patients. Outside of work, she enjoyed singing, gardening, art, bird watching, and traveling. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends creating lasting memories with those she loved.
Linda is survived by her beloved husband, Liviu George Restea, M.D., of Gainesville Florida, her children, David M. Trantina, Peoria, Illinois; Laura E. Trantina, Morton, Illinois; Francesca S. Restea, Gainesville, Florida; grandson Stephen W. Trantina, Sacramento, California; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her mother, Mary Frances McDowell, Quincy, Illinois; siblings - Patricia K. Williams (John) Petaluma, California; Michael S. Geers, Delrey, Florida; Cathy A. Thompson (Bill) Henderson, Nevada; Paul K. Geers, Quincy Illinois; Sharon Cassar Torreggiani (Peter) Malta; Julia Gorelik (Mark) Highland Park, Illinois; and Susan Geers (Larry) Austin, Texas. She was preceded in death by her father Henry B. Geers, brother Larry Geers, and dear friend Linda Hicks.
As a mother, Linda led by example. She taught her children that hard work was its own reward and that the most important thing a person could do was give back to others. Whether caring for her patients, supporting family members through difficult times, or offering a kind word to a friend in need, Linda was the ultimate caretaker. Her compassion, strength, and unwavering generosity touched countless lives and left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know her. Those who knew Linda will remember her warm heart, quick wit, and remarkable ability to make others feel cared for and valued. She gave freely of herself without expecting anything in return and found joy in helping others. Her legacy of love, service, strength, and kindness will continue to live on in the hearts of her family, friends, colleagues, and all whose lives she touched.
She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
The Requiem High Mass will be said by Father John Rickert, FSSP, pastor, in Historic St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 1009 North 8th Street, Quincy, Illinois on July 25th at 12:10pm. There will be a prayer service and visitation in the church the evening before with burial in Chicago, Illinois at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Quincy IL and Holy Faith Catholic Church in Gainesville FL.
Please join the family in honoring the life of Linda for a Celebration of Life gathering and reception to be held Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 4:00PM-6:00PM at Williams-Thomas Downtown, 404 N Main Street, Gainesville, FL
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