Tributes paid after “dedicated” pub manager’s sudden passing

Wednesday 21 August 2019

A “dedicated” pub manager and “respected” hospitality stalwart has been remembered for her “hard-working” and "outgoing" personality after she passed away suddenly.

Manager of the Old Portelet Inn Yolande Kernoghan sadly died in her sleep on Tuesday.

Local pub chain Randalls – Yolande’s employer of two years – led tributes this morning.

Paying respects to the “well-known and respected” manager, Randalls noted: “Yolande was funny, bright, dedicated and hard working and was loved and respected by her colleagues and friends within the company and the wider community.

Pictured: Staff decided to keep the Portelet Inn open "in recognition that Yolanda would have insisted that the show must go on."

“Her customers, young and old, loved her outgoing personality and, however busy she was, she always had time for everyone, customers and staff.”

Despite Yolande’s sudden passing, which led the Portelet Inn to be closed temporarily this morning while Police attended, her colleagues decided to open the popular southerly premises “in recognition that [she] would have insisted that the show must go on.”

Ahead of joining Randalls in July 2017, Yolande worked in many hospitality roles over the years, ranging from the Opera House to the Le Hocq Inn.

She also was a keen supporter of children’s nutritional charity Caring Cooks.

“We’re all devastated at Caring Cooks. I remember she said to me that she was so thrilled to be able to gave back something through all the work she put into Pennies. She was so lovely I can’t believe it,” the charity’s CEO, Melissa Nobrega, commented.

Given her breadth of experience across the hospitality industry, Randalls noted in a statement: “…We are sure will be stories being told of weddings, christenings, birthday parties of all ages that she hosted over the years in the various establishments she ran and many fond memories being recounted.”

Indeed, among the hundreds of condolences sent to the local mother’s family in Jersey and Ireland shared on social media were dozens of warm recollections from islanders.

Yolande Clark remembered: “…The few times we met we had a laugh about sharing the same name.”

Annie Wood described her as a “sparkly lady”, while Chloe Gilmour said she was “the most amazing, kind-hearted and funny boss!”

Roxanne Latimer added: “Omg! This woman was amazing! Always did her best to accommodate people.”

Attesting to this, Michael Nicholson remembered making friends with the “lovely lady”, who he recalled had “opened the pub up early for me on my wedding day.”

Responding to a Facebook post by Randalls, which has since gained over 450 ‘likes’ and more than 150 comments, Kim Collacott commented that she would “miss not seeing [Yolande’s] smiling face at The Portelet.”

For Gina Ellen Stabler, Yolande was “the life and soul of the party” and “one of the best in Jersey’s hospitality sector!”