Prudence Boerner Mathews (1938 – 2024)

Prudence Boerner Mathews passed from this life on March 24, 2024.

Prudence Boerner Mathews

She was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1938 and moved to Front Royal, Virginia, in 1946 when her parents divorced. Along with her mother and brother, she moved into the large home of her maternal grandparents on North Royal Avenue, where she continued to live until her death—having acquired the homestead after her mother’s death.

Her grandfather, Roger Payne, was a prominent businessman who had been in the hotel business for many years, owning a hotel in several Virginia towns, the last of which was the Afton Inn Hotel in Front Royal. Moving toward retirement, he sold the hotel and purchased a large boarding house on Virginia Avenue. Further downsizing, he sold that property and acquired the home on North Royal Avenue, which he ran as a tourist home and was popular among visitors to the Shenandoah Valley. There, Prudie was exposed to visitors from all over the United States and Europe and reveled in learning about a great diversity of people and their cultures.

While attending Warren County High School, her administrative and organizational talents were recognized, and the school administration chose her to maintain the attendance rolls and provide support for teachers in test administration. Also, while in high school, she worked in sales and inventory management in several local businesses. She attended Roller Business College, majoring in accounting.

She married in 1957 and had two daughters—the lights of her life. She began working in a local tax and accounting business, which gave her the skills and resources to open her own business in 1968. She successfully ran the business until she was 81 when she turned it over to her granddaughter, Erica Doberer.

Prudie was far more than a business entrepreneur. She was a force of nature in the community, using her talents in a vast array of community support activities: a volunteer at the Warren Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, going on to lead that organization as President of the Virginia Woman’s Hospital Auxiliary; a charter member of the Festival of Leaves, attracting thousands of visitors to the area; a member and Chairman of the Warren County Welfare Board; the first woman deputy in the sheriff’s department; a Private Agent of the Division of Motor Vehicles; President of the March of Dimes; and a grassroots member of the committee that formed the Warren County Republican Party, enjoying close relationships with both Republican and Democrat congressmen and Governors.

After her retirement, she was beset by medical challenges, but she demonstrated the same courage and determination that served her well all her life. Her resilience and sheer willpower allowed her to bounce back from one adversity after another, forming a close personal relationship with her doctors and medical staff. A host of friends always surrounded her.

She is survived by her daughter, Lauren Fristoe (Larry); her stepson, Kendall Burke; her granddaughter, Erica Doberer (Chris); grandchildren, Seth Henry, Jaxsen Doberer, and Taylor Doberer; and nieces, Amanda Ternan (Doug) and Lisa Avila (Arturo). Her brother, Roger Boerner (Elaine), also survives.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Kimberley Henry; her mother, Nell Payne Boerner; her father, Laurence Hyer Boerner; and her sister-in-law, Carol Curle Boerner.

We would also like to thank Maureen Schofield and the DaVita and Tri-County Transport staff for everything they did for her.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Boggs Chapel, with Pastor Sherry Waddell and Sammy Campbell officiating. A graveside service will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, and family and friends will receive friends immediately following at 412 North Royal Avenue.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, April 3, from 6-8 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Chris Doberer, Jaxsen Doberer, Larry Fristoe, Seth Henry, Jerry Henry and Dennis Burke.

Honorary pallbearers are Wes Burner, Donnie Walton, Jimmy Haffer, Donnie Atwood, Steve Llewelyn, and Jeffery Henry.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Front Royal Credit Union/ Erica Doberer for Kendall Burke’s care.