Members of the Y community gathered for a private dedication in behalf of beloved employee, volunteer and friend of the organization Patricia “Pat” Breech Aho on Nov. 16 at the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA.
The YMCA of the Foothills planted a vibrant lemon tree within the Haaga Garden of the branch, where members can visit the memorial daily. Breech Aho was a valued executive assistant to former Y’s CEO Dennis Croxin. Once retired, she became a dedicated annual support campaigner for the YMCA of the Foothills. With both her strong connections to the area and the numerous fostered relationships Breech Aho cultivated throughout her years at the Y, she soon became a prolific fundraiser. Her selfless commitment to the Y’s mission with the community as her focus is one of the reasons the organization named its annual volunteer award after Breech Aho, known as the Pat Aho Volunteer of the Year Award. “Pat Aho was a beacon of light and grace,” said Laura Olhasso, friend and Y board member. “From her valuable work on behalf of the YMCA, to her lovely voice in her church choir, to the lives she impacted across generations, she left her mark on our community. We were lucky to know her.”
It is fitting that Breech Aho’s dedicated tree sits within the Haaga Garden as she held close friendships with their family and many other treasured La Cañada community members. Both Paul and Heather Haaga were present and shared a few stories with the group about how their friendship started with her. The plaque by the tree reads:
“Planted with love in memory of Pat Aho. A wonderful person, volunteer, and friend — your wisdom and inspiration will continue to grow here.”
“The next time you visit the Crescenta-Cañada Family YMCA, add a few more seconds to your stop to visit the Haaga Garden, gaze upon this stunning memorial, and reminisce about a dear past friend whose memory will prosper and continue to inspire many generations to come,” the YMCA said in a statement.
The mission of the YMCA of the Foothills is to organize, develop, finance, and conduct programs for an association of persons of all ages that will, by putting Christian principles into practice, enrich the quality of their lives spiritually, mentally, physically and socially. Individuals can support the cause by visiting ymcafoothills.org.
First published in the November 30 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
