Pauline Hayes Nidiffer

Pauline Hayes Nidiffer of Lexington, KY passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Morning Pointe East at the age of 95 years. Born on September 20, 1930, in Hazard, KY, she was the daughter of the late Robert H. Hayes and Alice Jones Hayes.
Pauline was preceded in death by Jack Nidiffer, her beloved husband of 62 years. She is survived by her two daughters, Becky Kawaja (George R.) of Lexington, KY and Regina "Rusty" Sheehan (Marty) of Ft. Wright, KY; two granddaughters, Alison Kawaja of Lexington, KY and Rebecca Sheehan (Anthony Schneider) of Hailey, ID; and one great granddaughter, Katie Kawaja of Louisville, KY. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Michael White of Lexington.
Pauline had a remarkable career as a nurse and was in the first graduating class of nurses from Hazard ARH Nursing School.
In addition to her career as a nurse, she was a lifetime member of the Southern Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and in a Gospel quartet. She delighted listeners of her piano playing and singing even up into the last months of her life. She also loved painting ceramics, sewing, playing harmonica, and traveling. She and Jack enjoyed several road trips across the U.S. and to Alaska together.
She is the last survivor of her siblings, Bob Hayes, Irene Noble, Virginia Ritchie, Bernice Short, Mary Jane Cox, and Tommy Hayes.
A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, located at 3421 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY. A graveside service for family will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. in the Camp Nelson National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to hospice care at Bluegrass Care Navigators, https://www.bgcarenav.org