By News and Media Relations

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – DEC. 17, 2025 – Wanda Lambert Boush, at 103, continues to live with quiet generosity and an unshakable devotion to her community. Her story is one of grace and giving, woven deeply into both The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the South Texas region she calls home.

Born May 15, 1922, in Ohio, she grew up in Illinois, in the Chicagoland area, and spent much of her life exploring the world with her husband, Edward, visiting Morocco, Europe, Greece, Southeast Asia, China, Colombia and beyond.

“I fondly remember our time in Borneo,” she said. “The apes would approach visitors and tug gently at our skirts, as if welcoming us into the wild.”

She and Edward first visited Alamo and the Rio Grande Valley in 1985, quickly becoming “converted Texans” after her parents moved to Pharr for her father’s health. And when they heard about a new trailer park in Alamo, they joined her parents in the Valley.

Her husband died in 1997, and in 2000, Boush moved to Alamo permanently, embracing it as her home and carrying forward their shared spirit of curiosity and selflessness. 

DON’T INVEST, JUST GIVE

Her adventures abroad contrast with the simple beginnings of her youth, growing up during the Great Depression.

“I did not know we were poor,” she said, describing a humble diet of “coffee soup,” a mix of toast, coffee, milk and sugar for breakfast. There was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch, and bread with milk and onion for supper.

The rationing of gas, meat and sugar shaped her lifelong sense of thrift and resourcefulness. Her family didn’t even have a kitchen table, she said, and instead ate their meals on an ironing board, attached to the wall, that folded down on a single leg.

Those early lessons in humility and practicality would guide Boush for decades to come.

Years later, after attending an event called Milestones for Peace, she discovered a connection to UTRGV. Captivated by one of the event’s exhibits, she felt inspired to help.

“You don’t invest money,” she said, “you just give it.”

That first donation supported nurses pursuing advanced degrees and reflected her belief that compassion and education are complementary.

That same compassion has long extended to the animal kingdom. A lifelong cat lover, Boush has supported animal welfare organizations throughout the Valley, including the RGV Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic.

Her three beloved cats wandered freely through her home now, playfully nuzzling visitors. When asked how she stays so young at heart, she credits her cats.

“I have to feed them and take care of them. They depend on me,” she said. Though she and Edward never had children, she they were content with the furry friends who filled their life with love and companionship, she said.

CELEBRATING HER COMMUNITY

Boush’s love for her community shines through her devotion to the arts, education and student success.

Over the years, she has supported the Valley Symphony Orchestra, where she proudly sponsors Maestro Peter Dabrowski, as well as the Museum of South Texas History, the UTRGV Music Department, the School of Medicine, and the College of Fine Arts.

She has established endowed scholarships in medicine and has contributed to faculty professorships and lecture series.

A lifetime member of the International Museum of Art & Science (IMAS), she still enjoys attending events whenever possible – even as she navigates a recent cancer diagnosis with her characteristic strength and steadiness.

Her appreciation for creativity and learning remains vibrant, a reminder that age has done little to diminish her enthusiasm for celebrating her community.

KEY MEMBER OF THE VAQUERO FAMILY

Boush’s affection for the UTRGV Marching Band is just as spirited as the band itself. She once emailed Dr. Jeffrey Ward, dean of the College of Fine Arts, to ask if he had ever explored marching band performances on YouTube, eager to share how many wonderful shows could be found. She later attended the university’s inaugural football game. 

“It was just so exciting to see the band take the field,” she said.

Her pride in the UTRGV Marching Band is reflected in the custom jacket they presented to her.

“I wear it as a symbol of my support, not just for the music, but for their educational journey,” she said.

Boush’s pride in UTRGV also is evident in personal touches and details. At this year’s Donor Scholarship Luncheon, she proudly recalls, she chose to wear her UTRGV blouse, instead of a sparkly outfit.

“And I never take off my UTRGV necklace,” she said.

One of her favorite shows of support is the cat-themed blanket gifted to her by Dr. Kelly Nassour, executive vice president for Institutional Advancement,

“I use it every single day, even in the summer!” she said proudly.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said Boush represents the best of what the university stands for.

“Wanda cares deeply about others, and she has always believed in what UTRGV can do for the Valley,” he said. “We’re proud to celebrate her and grateful for all the ways she has helped make UTRGV what it is today.”

In recognition of her impact on the Vaquero community, Boush is now a member of the President’s Circle and the Legacy Society – honors reserved for donors whose giving has had a transformative effect on students and the future of higher education in South Texas.

UTRGV also helped mark her century of life by hosting a special luncheon in her honor. In her typically down-to-earth spirit, Boush chose tacos from Dairy Queen for her celebratory meal.

A LIFE OF SERVICE

Beyond her philanthropy, Boush is known for her creativity and joy for life. She once expressed her own artistry through writing poems, and she produces an annual holiday newsletter that her friends eagerly awaited each year.

While she no longer writes, her thoughtfulness and dedication to building community remain constant. She continues to be an active member of the close-knit Alamo community she has called home for decades.

Her neighbors and friends have shared many of her milestones, most notably her 100th birthday, when the City of Alamo officially declared May 15 as Wanda Lambert Boush Day. And in honor of her lifelong service and generosity, the Alamo Chamber of Commerce named her Citizen of the Year. Though she often jokes that she is “older than the town,” her energy suggests otherwise.

Asked what she hopes people will remember most about the life she has built in the Valley, Boush says she doubts people will remember her at all. Yet her legacy tells a different story.

Through her giving, she has brought aid and opportunity to countless others, proving that true wealth is measured not by what we keep but by what we share. Her generosity continues to ripple across South Texas, ensuring that her spirit will live on in the community she has helped shape.

“Money does no good in the bank,” Boush said. “It doesn’t make you happy unless you share it.”

To learn more about how to contribute to UTRGV’s growth and success, visit www.utrgv.edu/institutional-advancement/ways-to-give.