Brunhilde “Hilde” E. Matheson, 96, of Winchester, Virginia, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2026, at Hospice of the Panhandle in Kearneysville, West Virginia.

Born on March 15, 1930, in Poland of German heritage, Hilde was the daughter of the late Jakob Gross and Mathilde Gross. She later became a proud citizen of the United States and built a life defined by service, compassion, education, and lifelong learning.

Hilde devoted much of her professional life to helping others. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she worked in the mental health field in Winchester, Virginia, and continued serving others well into her nineties. Her extensive career included work as an art therapist, recreation therapist, counselor, educator, marketing manager, realtor, business manager, and camp director. She was instrumental in opening the Hearst House at Winchester Medical Center, helped establish the hospital’s pet therapy program, and created a guided meditation program for patients preparing for surgery including a relaxation CD using music and story to create a relaxing atmosphere for healing. She also worked at the Leary Educational Center, which later became Timber Ridge School, assisted with youth job development programs, and served as marketing manager for Northwestern Workshop. Hilde was also a ropes course and challenge instructor for team building programs, and co-owned and co-directed Camp Rim Rock, with her former husband, Jim.

Hilde was a woman of remarkable intellect and curiosity. After WWII where she spent 10 years in a refugee camp in Austria, she was given the opportunity to study at Louisburg College in North Carolina. Hilde earned a degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences from Shenandoah University in 1977 and later completed her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology from West Virginia University in 1998.

Hilde was an active member of Hopewell Center Meeting and deeply valued her Quaker faith. She dedicated herself to religious education and found great joy in serving her faith community. Throughout her life, she embraced a wide variety of interests and talents. She loved gardening, reading, writing poetry, studying healing modalities, and participating in meditation groups. A gifted seamstress, she created clothing for family members and friends. She also enjoyed classical music and played several musical instruments. A lifelong learner, she was rarely without a book and was known for filling notebooks with observations, reflections, and ideas. She later chronicled her extraordinary life by writing and publishing her own autobiography, compiled by her friend, Margie Riley.

Hilde shared 46 wonderful years with her life mate, John Sprint, who survives her.

She is also survived by her daughter, Deborah Fitzner and husband Mark; her daughter, Virginia Grace Matheson; her son, James Kenneth Matheson and wife Yumei; her granddaughter, Jessica Hughes and husband Joseph; her great-granddaughter, Nora Hughes and her former husband, Jim Matheson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Rosalie Dech, Karoline Czaban, Ottilie Lahrer, and Marie Bauer; her brother, Jacob Gross; and her great-granddaughter, Eliza Jane Hughes.

Hilde’s family and friends will remember her as a compassionate counselor, devoted teacher, creative spirit, and tireless advocate for helping others reach their potential. Her wisdom, kindness, and enduring curiosity enriched countless lives and leave a lasting legacy.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 1pm with a memorial service celebrating Hilde’s life at 2pm all held at Hopewell Friends Meeting House, 604 Hopewell Road, Clear Brook, VA 22624.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Panhandle at hospiceotp.org or Hopewell Centre Meeting, c/o Jim Riley, P.O. Box 165, Winchester, VA 22604.