On Saturday, September 18, over 100 people gathered outside of the Boys & Girls Club of Vista (BGCV) to remember Howard & Anne Amend for their generous contributions to the Vista Community with an unveiling of a memorial plaque, water bottle refill station, and hand washing station. Howard passed away on April 26, 2020, and Anne followed in June 2020. Howard became the Executive Director of the Boys Club of Vista in 1970 which later became the Boys & Girls Club in 1990. After retiring from that role, he moved on to serve on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Boys & Girls Club of Vista Foundation. Anne served the Vista Women’s Club and on the Women’s Auxiliary for the Boys Club. She was a school nurse for Vista Unified School District and was a dedicated Girl Scout leader.
Community members gathered and shared stories of Howard and Anne whose legacy is one of faith, community, family, and friends. Theirs was a life-long love story, always together, always supporting each other, and always laughing. Speakers included Martie Merrill Sutcliffe Tallent, friend of Anne’s since they were teenagers together, David “Nitro” Nyerges who met Howard at the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena as a Club Member then later was hired by Howard to work at the Club. Sidney Green, married to Anne’s twin sister. Paul Eckert, friend of the family who has also known the Amends since they moved to Vista. John Rodriguez, current Trustee of the Boys & Girls Club of Vista Foundation who was recruited to the cause by Howard. Former BGCV Club Member Juan Gomez who shared how Howard and Anne shaped his life as well as countless other youth who came through the Club.
Matt Koumaras, current President & CEO at the Club shared,
“Howard brought a special aura with him, and he definitely never lost touch with identifying with the kids at the Club. Howard and Anne always made sure families felt welcomed, kids felt loved, and that in turn shaped some incredible futures.”
The family dedicated a water bottle refill station and handwashing station in honor of Howard & Anne’s service at the Boys & Girls Club of Vista. Their memory will continue to nourish children in our community with fresh water, keeping them healthy and growing.
