LOUISVILLE — Amelia Houvouras Usher, 53, passed away Sunday, August 26, 2012, peacefully at her home in Louisville.

Amy was born in Huntington, W.Va., the youngest daughter of Andrew J. Houvouras Jr. and Patricia Hubbard Houvouras. She was a 1976 graduate of St. Joseph Central High School and graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1980.

She was an animal lover throughout her life, rescuing many stray dogs, cats and race horses. Her other activities included being one of the original volunteers for Kentucky Harvest, The Head Start Christmas Program and a supporter of New Vocations Race Horse Adoption Program. She was an enthusiastic snow skier, scuba diver and cyclist. However, the center of Amy’s life and source of her greatest joy was her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and friend.

Amy is survived by her husband, Alan; sons Ryan and Patrick, Louisville, Ky.; her mother, Patricia Houvouras, Huntington, W.Va.; her siblings, Drew Houvouras (Jane), Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Tom Houvouras and Rick Houvouras, Huntington, W.Va., Anne Houvouras, West Palm Beach, Fla., Mary Houvouras Noel (James), Lexington, Ky., and Jack Houvouras, Huntington, W.Va.; her father-in-law, William Usher Sr. (Ginger), Paducah, Ky.; her brother-in-law, William Usher Jr., Louisville, Ky.; 15 nieces and nephews; and a host of great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

Amy was preceded in death by her father, Andrew J. Houvouras Jr., Huntington, W.Va., and her mother-in-law, Polly Fowler, Paducah, Ky.

Her funeral service will be held Saturday, September 1, 2012, at 11:30 a.m. at the outdoor chapel of Cave Hill Cemetery, 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, Ky.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Amy’s honor to New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program (www.horseadoption.com) or Highland Park Community Development Corp., 3500 Shanks Lane, Louisville, KY 40216.

Highland Funeral Home in Louisville is in charge of arrangements.