Hilda Brenda Burdick, of Duck, North Carolina, entered eternal life peacefully on September 4th, 2026, surrounded by her family. Mrs. Burdick had moved to Jacksonville Beach in July, after residing on North Carolina’s Outer Banks for over two decades.

Born in Salford, near Manchester, England, on December 13, 1935, Mrs. Burdick was the daughter of James Almond Lambert and Anne Woodhead Lambert, longtime owners of The Wellington Inn. She grew up during the terror of German bombing of Manchester, losing school friends and her own older brother, who was shot down over Belgium. After World War II, Hilda married Jerry Haskell Burdick, a US Airman stationed near Manchester, and began her life as a military wife. She travelled throughout the United States and Europe, bearing three children to her beloved husband before being widowed in Newport News Virginia in 1982. Independent and action-oriented, Hilda then founded Travel Mates, a successful Newport News travel agency which she ran for over two decades. Known by her family, friends and business associates simply as Hilda, she became the first female member of Newport News’ prestigious James River Country Club. In retirement, Hilda moved to Duck, North Carolina, where she was spellbound by the Atlantic seascapes and spectacular Currituck Sound sunsets.

Hilda was a lifelong devout Christian, raised in the Church of England and faithfully attending Air Force chapels and Anglican churches in many states before joining Duck Methodist Church on the Outer Banks. There, she was proud to have made possible the installation of a new steeple in the last months of her life. Also in her later years, she spent the winter months with her daughter and son-in-law Marilyn and Bill Russell in Polk County, Tennessee, and attended First Methodist Church in Benton. She gave her children the gift of faith and often said that in times of trouble she returned to the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, which she could quote from memory.

A passionate and talented gardener, Hilda seemed able to turn every place she lived into a little piece of England. She also loved poetry and easily recited poems of the English masters, as well as writing her own verses. She loved playing duplicate Bridge and achieved the level of Life Master.

Hilda was preceded in death by her son Jerry H Burdick, Jr, and her husband Jerry H Burdick. She is survived by her daughters Marilyn Burdick Russell (husband William “Bill” Russell), Michele Burdick (husband James “Mike” Brown), nephew Charles “Chuck” Barry (wife Michelle “Micki”), grandsons William “Brad” Russell Jr (wife “Casey” Slone Russell), Samuel “Sam” Russell (wife Gloria Dube Russell), and seven great-grandchildren: William “Tripp” Russell III, Catherine “Cate” Russell, John Russell, Charlotte Russell, Samuel “Becket” Russell Jr, Claire Russell, and Margot Russell, all of Jacksonville, FL; and her dear friend James “Jim” Mitchell of Williamsburg, VA.

Hilda’s funeral will be at St. Matthews Anglican Church, 215 Main Street, Newport News, VA on Tuesday, November 10th at 11:00 AM. Interment to follow at Parklawn Memorial Park in Hampton.