Hedy Hilburn passed from this good earth too soon.
She still had much to give to her fellow workers, to the labor movement
and to the community, when she left us, so suddenly and so young.
We at the Labor Heritage Foundation mourn the passing of this good
sister—talented but unassuming, a solid, dependable union citizen and leader;
a fine singer and song-writer of songs of social significance; an able,
effective writer; a hard worker who always worked for the common good and
never tooted her own horn.
The Labor Heritage Foundation is an organization dedicated to
strengthening the labor movement through the use of music and the arts, and
Hedy Hilburn was one of our most valuable members.
She did all her extra-curricular work while maintaining an important,
full-time job as a skilled electrician at the Ford plant in Louisville, where
she was a member of UAW Local 862 and IBEW Local 369 and the first woman in
any Ford plant to be elected as a UAW skilled trades representative.
She never sought glory or recognition for herself. She did all the good
things she did because she enjoyed working with and helping all those she
could, and because she considered all of us her sisters and brothers.
We in the Labor Heritage Foundation offer her family and friends our
sincerest condolences. We mourn her passing and we will miss her. But we will
always remember the good she did while she was with us.
Joe Glazer for the Labor Heritage Foundation
"Hedy was such a sweet, and extremely supportive person of those of us making
labor/resistance music. She had spirit, wit and dignity and I'm sure that's
how she left this life. It hurts to hear that Hedy is gone." George Mann and Julius Margolin
"I am so sorry & shocked to hear the news of her death. I really enjoyed her company
& enthusiasm at the Great Arts Labor Exchange for the last 2 years. I just
wish I could have known her longer & better. Her calmness, dry humor &
talent were a joy & inspiration to me. It won't be the same without her.
My condolences on the loss of such a special, dear friend & comrade." - Melody Knight
"The sense of loss is just awful this morning. I gave Hedy a ride from the Meany Center
to the party at Elise's house this past June, as we both got there early for the showing of
"Live Nude Girls, Unite!" We had such a good time talking. Hedy told me about her french horn
playing and moving to new cities without a job. We talked about our union work and the physical
pleasure of singing. She helped me navigate after I missed the exit on the Beltway.
(And I'm the one who lives here!)
I will keep with me in my heart the picture of Hedy singing and playing the guitar
in front of the stage in the Meany Center Auditorium. May her life continue to be
a blessing for all of us." - Charlie Bernhardt
"Hedy Hilburn was one of my best students at UAW Editors' Conferences at Black Lake.
She was an inspiration to all, and the many stories she wrote for UAW publications will continue
to have an impact on the lives of thousands of union members." - David Elsila
