Pauline "Polly" Bondy Hernandez

Pauline "Polly" Bondy Hernandez was born in New Roads, Louisiana, on May 3, 1928. She died on July 6, 2026 at LaCour House in New Roads. She entered St. Joseph Academy in 1935 and completed the seventh grade in 1942. At that time, she went to live with her aunt and uncle, Eleanor McCall, and Floyd Bondy, who lived in Florence, South Carolina and had no children. There she attended both junior and high school, where she excelled in academic and extracurricular activities. She graduated from Florence High in 1946 and returned to Louisiana where she entered LSU full-time in the fall. In 1949 she interrupted her education to work for the American Rice Growers Associate in Lake Charles. During that time, she enrolled in night courses at McNeese College. In 1952 she returned to Baton Rouge where she continued her education as a part-time night student and was also employed by the Office of the President of LSU where she served under the administrations of General Troy H. Middleton, Dr. John Hunter, and Dr. Martin D. Woodin. In 1970 she married John H. Hernandez. After her retirement she devoted her life to homemaking and volunteering in civic, cultural, and church organizations. These included Baton Rouge Opera Guild, The Literary Club, Garden Growers Study Group, Woman's Club, The East Side/West Side Club, Foundation of Historic Louisiana, Friends of Magnolia Mound, and Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. Her greatest joy was being with family, friends, and their children. She and John frequently entertained in their home and made every meal a festive occasion.

She is survived by sisters, Gayle Bondy Brown, and Alice Alcide Bondy. Also, many nieces and nephews to treasure her memory including Charles "Beau" A. Bondy and JoAnn Bondy Martin; godchildren Belinda Bondy, James "Jim" Bondy and Gayle LaCour Pfister. Aunt Polly's love and generosity enriched the lives of her nieces and nephews and helped form them into the people they are today.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, of 53 years, John H. Hernandez, her parents, Auguste A. Bondy, Sr. and Annie Hays Bondy, brothers, David J. Bondy, Sr. (Adelaide) and Auguste Arthur Bondy, Jr.; brothers-in-law Carl O. Brown, and Frederick Hill, Jr., sisters Marguerite Bondy Bougere, Anne Bondy Triche, Catherine Bondy Paine (Charles), Patricia Bondy LaCour (Edgar), Mary Lillian Bondy Bond, sister-in-law and dear friend Thelma Dayries Bondy, and nephews Walter "Buddy" Bougere, Paul Bond and niece Nancy Bondy Kindy.

Pallbearers will be: David Bondy, Jr., Matthew Bondy, Ed LaCour, Francis LaCour, Jacob "Jake" Harelson and Dr. Paul Rachal. Honorary Pallbearers: Richard Bondy, Steven F. Crucq, David E. Shirley, J. Clayton Johnson and Mike Harelson. The family would like to thank Drs. Paul Rachal and Ashley Doucet Bordelon, Pointe Coupee Homebound Health and Hospice, LaCour House and long-time caregiver, Yolandra Newton, for all the loving care they gave Aunt Polly during her last few years.

Funeral Mass (no wake) will be celebrated by Father Scott Dugas at St. Mary's of False River, 348 Main Street, New Roads, Louisiana on Friday July 10, 2026 at 10am. Visiting and meal will follow in St. Mary's Church Hall (11am-1pm) and burial will be at 2:30pm at Roselawn Cemetery, 4045 North Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Baton Rouge Opera Guild or the charity of your choice.