The following biographical information has been provided by Margaret Schigoda, the sister of the artist. 

Hilda Sophia Schuster was born on February 9, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan.  She received her undergraduate degree in English and Master's Degree in German from Wayne University.  She taught German at Wayne University.  She married Robert Eckel in July of 1950.  They had three children:  James, Laura and Robert.  She began oil painting late in her life, but received many awards.  She died shortly after her sixtieth birthday in 1985.