Amy Bhola
Birthday: 1965
Amy Ahler Bhola was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona eventually finding herself in Tucson at the University of Arizona, becoming a true Wildcat for Life. Amy earned her BA and MA in education and taught middle school math and science in public school systems for over 11 years in California and Phoenix before settling back in Tucson in 1998 to make her home. While she stopped teaching in the classroom after she started her family, education was always her passion.
Amy was a community volunteer, leader, and activist. She was a member of many community service organizations. In all these organizations she not only served the community but the organization through leadership and advising. She served as President of The Junior League of Tucson, Inc; Chair of the Silver and Turquoise Board of Hostesses; Alumni Advisor to Chi Omega Sorority; Advisor to youth members of Tucson National Charity League; and Ball Chairman and Advisory Board Member of the Tucson Symphony Cotillion. She served on the Catalina Foothills School District Foundation Board of Directors and elementary, middle, and high school Family and Faculty Organizations. Amy served through encouragement, love, and friendship. She built up those around her and always made people feel seen. She loved sharing her knowledge and skills with those she served. She encouraged others to step up and lead. She believed in people, and she stood up for the causes she believed in.
In 2014, Amy ran was elected to the Catalina Foothills School District School Board. Amy invested countless hours as a champion of high-quality schools. Initiatives closest to her heart centered on supporting students and teachers through adequate funding for public education and ensuring all Arizona students had equal access and opportunities. She loved celebrating the accomplishments of all students. Handing out diplomas and shaking hands at graduation each year was a highlight for her.
Amy’s superpower was her mind and her ability to solve problems. In 2021, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma. It is unfair that her cancer targeted her superpower. Being Amy, she elected to participate in clinical trials to test medications for the treatment of this deadly disease. The knowledge gained from these trials has allowed the drug to be available to more people leading to longer lives and hope for a cure.
Amy’s greatest loves in her life were her husband Khush, her children Mason and Lily, her sisters Debbie, Jerri and Katie, her brother Danny, her parents and her many lifelong friends.
The world, Arizona, Tucson, and her family and friends are better because of Amy.