Yolanda Kedves Polgardy

Polgardy, Yolanda Kedves, 90, who was dearly beloved by her family and friends, passed away on July 18, 2012. Yolanda was the daughter of Hungarian immigrants Mary and Joseph Kedves and grew up in Trenton, New Jersey. She was known for her compassion, humor, determination, and love of life. During WWII she built pumps for warships. After the war, she spent 20 years as a factory worker for Circle F Industries making light switches. It was here that she became concerned with the working conditions, wages, and lack of benefits for the workers. This led her being elected President of the local International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union, serving the 2000 members for 15 years. She also did union organizing at textile mills in the south. Yolanda's warmth, wit, and ability to connect with people became a cornerstone of both her career and life.

Married to Ernie, she raised two daughters who so greatly admired her strength and ability to handle all life brought her way. After Ernie died in 1992, she moved to Louisville, Kentucky, and became a part of the life of her daughter Margaret Thornton's family. She was an active member of the J-Town Senior Center and could be seen at many a sporting event, play, or fundraiser for Summit Academy where students and adults called her Granny. She traveled regularly to Brookline, Massachusetts, where daughter Kathleen Phenix and family lived. She never missed a dance demonstration, graduation, wedding, or other important life event of her daughters, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren. At the age of 88, she moved into Middletown's Village East Assisted Living and joyously embraced the many new people she met.

Yolanda's parents, brother Joe, husband Ernie, and grandson Jeffrey Thornton preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Kathleen and Robert Phenix and Margaret and Tom Thornton; her granddaughter and her husband, Rebecca and Bernd Nigmann of Rockville, Maryland; her granddaughters Jennifer Thornton of Louisville, and Laura Phenix, of San Francisco, California; and her great-grandchildren, McKenzie Thornton, Matthias Nigmann, and Lukas Nigmann.

A celebration of Yolanda's life will be held on Monday, July 23, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, Kentucky, with burial following at Cave Hill Cemetery, 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville. Visitation hours are on Sunday, July 22, 2012, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Yolanda's memory can be honored by donations to Village East, Inc., 11530 Herrick Lane, Louisville, Kentucky 40243.

We shall always remember your love and the devotion you showed to all. Our hearts ache. We will miss you always.