Matilda had such a big impact in all the pupils’ lives, that the whole school, along with ex pupils and their families, lined the street to watch Matilda make her final journey to Cottingley Hall.
Patients
Matilda’s Story
Matilda was just 29 when she passed away peacefully at St Gemma’s in early November 2025, following a short but incredibly courageous battle with cancer.
We are so grateful to Matilda’s family for so kindly sharing her story and the difference the Hospice was able to make during this difficult time.
“Matilda was a deeply loved daughter, sister, granddaughter, cousin and friend. To her students, she was ‘Miss Grindley’ – a teacher whose classroom became known as ‘Miss Grindley’s safe space’. To so many others, she was the big sister that everyone needed.”
After moving to Leeds in 2014 to study Law with French at the University of Leeds, Matilda later completed her teacher training and began her career at Dixons Trinity Chapeltown, where she worked as a French teacher until she became unwell.
Tabitha
Matilda's sister
Whether through teaching, friendship, learning or her love of travel, Matilda brought warmth and kindness everywhere she went. She had a huge love for animals, adoring her three cats – Sirius, Bellatrix and Nova – and regularly donated to the RSPCA.
“In true Matilda fashion, she once even befriended a squirrel, which famously ended with her needing a tetanus jab.
Even during the most difficult time of her life, Matilda showed incredible bravery and thoughtfulness. She planned details of her own funeral and asked to be buried in Leeds so she could be ‘visited often and by many’.
It was a privilege to have Matilda in our lives and we will always remember her infectious joy and love for life.”
At a time that felt frightening and heartbreaking for all of us, St Gemma’s gave our family comfort, support and space to be together.
Those moments and memories are something we will carry with us forever.
Matilda's family
“Although her stay at St Gemma’s was short, it had a massive impact on her quality of life with Matilda mentioning how safe she felt there.
As a family, we also became aware of just how important fundraising is to keeping hospice care available for families like ours. St Gemma’s only receive 30% of the required funding from the NHS, the remaining 70% is funded by fundraising.”
Wanting to give something back to St Gemma’s, around 50 family members, friends and colleagues signed up for the Leeds Running Festival in April 2026 to fundraise for St Gemma’s Hospice, in honour of Matilda.
“What started as a fundraising challenge became something far more meaningful than we ever expected. People from every part of Matilda’s life came together around us. Friends trained together. Colleagues ran side by side. Former students donated and shared memories of ‘Miss Grindley’. Messages of love and support carried us through some very difficult days.”
Matilda’s family and friends raised an incredible £6,380 for St Gemma’s Hospice.
Today, they continue to fundraise in Matilda’s memory, helping ensure other local families can receive the same compassionate care and support that meant so much to theirs.