Lena Helen Bradshaw

Lena Helen Lee Hodges Bradshaw passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2026 at the age of 91. She was born in LaRue County, KY on August 13, 1935 to the late Starling G. Lee and Olen Slinker Lee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Avon Bradshaw, Jr., her brother, Harry G. Lee, sister-in-law, Barbara Cox Lee, and son-in-law, Ken Cundiff. Lena was a member of Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky for many years until she moved to Louisville to be near her daughter and family. She then moved her membership to Hikes Point Christian Church. She retired from the College of Engineering, University of Kentucky, where she was employed for over 40 years.

She dearly loved her family. She is survived by two daughters, Tishana Cundiff (Glenn Wilham) and Alonna Bailey, five grandchildren: Kenneth “Trey”, Heather (Christopher Sale), BenJamin “Jamin” (Michelle) Cundiff, Chris (Kelly) Bailey, Sarah (Josh) Duckworth and seven adorable great-grandchildren: Eilee, River, Darby, Astrid, and Lettie Duckworth, along with Preston and Hannah Bailey. She is also survived by three nephews, Robin Lee of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, Garry (Lisa) Lee of Nashville, Indiana, and Steve (Kathy) Hodges of Elizabethtown as well as her Sister-in-Law, Carlene (Pat) Hodges.

Lena entered the work field at a young age working first at the STATE movie theater in Elizabethtown. She then went to work at The Red Cross. This position started her commitment to a life of donating blood; she received Lifelong Donor Blood Assurance Cards for herself and her daughters. In 1958, Lena went to work at University of Kentucky in the engineering department as a Secretary, but became more of an Administrative Assistant during her 40 years. She was responsible for student records for the Engineering Department and worked closely under five different Deans of Engineering.

Lena was an avid card player enjoying Bridge, Pinochle, Rook, Hand & Foot, Five Crowns, and BUNCO.

She enjoyed watching Hallmark movies and game shows, but she was best known as a year-round sports fan following her UK football and basketball teams as well as her Cincinnati Reds.

Although Lena enjoyed cooking, she could most frequently be found in the kitchen canning. She was known for her delicious jams and gave jars as gifts until recently. She will be dearly missed.

A Remembrance Service will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, October 16, 2026 at Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home, following which Lena will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband in Bluegrass Memorial Gardens. Her family will greet friends before the service Friday beginning at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. “Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.” Arrangements are under the careful arrangement of Hager & Cundiff Funeral Home, and we extend our deepest sympathy to Lena’s family and friends.