Amber received so much love, support, friendship, and guidance throughout her life that her family wanted to honor her legacy and pay it forward to those organizations that support adults with special needs.

Amber loved animals and had a special relationship with them. She rescued horses, worked with them through quarantine, rehabilitation, training and rehoming them.

She decided she wasn’t being challenged enough and entered horse shows, where she proceeded to win a few ribbons. After winning a particularly large show, her mom and dad were so excited for her, congratulating her, and she said, “Aren’t we all winners”

Not only did Amber love animals, but she also loved the theater and traveling. When she turned 21, we had to go to Las Vegas and visit the Pawn Stars store and the Mafia Museum since she was Italian. Dad gave her $100.00 to play roulette and was winning until she got a bloody nose. As we left to the bathroom, the whole table stepped back and would not play until she came back. That was the allure of Amber, she just had the ability to bring people together. And of course she was lucky!

We were at a fundraiser, and she wanted to buy raffle tickets to win a trip anywhere in the country. She had it all planned out to go to Disney World, but I explained that it was difficult to win and don’t get upset if it doesn’t happen. She looked at me like I was crazy, mom, of course I am going to win. Amber is dyslexic and numbers are hard for her, so I went to help her read the numbers on the tickets and yes, she won! I told you, mom!

Amber loved the movies, and we would go every Friday night and make an evening of it. Mom and Dad would go to their movie and meet her in the lobby afterwards because she especially loved Disney and Marvel, not our favorites.

Stan Lee, the creator of Marvel Comics, was one of her favorites. We had to go see all of his movies because he always had a cameo and finding him in the scene was lots of fun. Interestingly, he died the same day, time and of congestive heart failure, just like Amber.  

Our family was blessed to have Amber in our lives, and we miss her every day. Hopefully this foundation honors the legacy of this happy, funny, unique, loving, bright, animal lover for years to come.