Hedwig (Hedy) A. Hilburn, 56, of Louisville, passed away Saturday,
Dec 6, 2003, at Jewish Hospital after a brief illness. She was a native of
Lubbock, Texas, a Methodist, and a graduate of Texas Tech University. As a
member of Local U.A.W. 862 and I.B.E.W 369, she worked as an electrician at the
Ford Louisville Assembly Plant.
Hedy
was an avid musician, songwriter and lover of animals. She was a labor activist
and the first woman in any Ford plant to be elected as a UAW skilled trades
representative. She was editor for both the Local 862 newspaper, Online, and
UAW Region 3, Moving Forward. She was a contributing writer for Solidarity
Magazine. She served as an instructor at the UK Center for Labor Education and
Research.
She
is preceded in death by her father, Marvin B. Hilburn, Jr. Survivors include
her mother, Naomi S. Hilburn of Louisville, siblings Emily Sell of Halifax, Nova
Scotia, William S. Hilburn of New York City , Thomas B. Hilburn of
Jeffersonville, IN., and seven nieces and
nephews.
A
memorial service will be held Friday, December 12 at 2 p.m., at Bosse Funeral
Home in Louisville. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Thursday.
Friends are encouraged to bring photos of Hedy that reflect her love of life to
share on a memorial picture board.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Children and Youth Project,
Early Literacy Program, 555 S. Floyd St., Louisville, Ky. 40202, or Alley Cat
Advocates, #204, 3020 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, Ky. 40205, or Labor Heritage
Foundation (for promotion of labor culture and music), 888 16th St. NW, Suite
680, Washington, D. C. 20006.
