BOARDMAN – Joyce Kale-Pesta, an iconic figure in Mahoning County elections and Democratic politics, died, leaving behind a memorable legacy.

Kale-Pesta, 76, died Thursday at her Boardman home.

Kale-Pesta spent 33 years working for the county board of elections as a director, deputy director and starting as a clerk. After her retirement in November 2021, Kale-Pesta was appointed to serve as a board of elections member, holding that position until her death.

Kale-Pesta was also the county Democratic Party’s vice chairwoman and as a state Democratic Party central committeewoman representing the 33rd District at the time of her death.

She also served as the county Democratic Party’s chairwoman from May 2019 to June 2022.

“It’s hard to imagine Mahoning County politics without Joyce, no matter your politics,” said Chris Anderson, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman. “She gave her entire life to the board of elections. The whole party is in mourning.”

Mahoning County Republican Party Chairman Tom McCabe, who worked 27 years with Kale-Pesta at the elections board, said, “She was a great partner. We got along great. She loved elections. She was a trailblazer.”

For more, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.