Rory Mackenzie Wholey Wells, age 16, of West Grove, Pennsylvania passed away on Saturday, April 26, 2025, surrounded by her immediate family. Rory was born in 2008 to Heather Wholey and David Wells in Jennersville, Pennsylvania. Rory attended Avon Grove High School and was a passionate equestrian and had a bright future with sporthorses.
Rory had an infectious love of life, lived every day to its fullest, and was strong in every way. Rory loved to travel, explore new places, cook, and spend time in the sun or at the beach. She met her best friend Hannah Bellak at Avon Grove High School and was excited to attend her first prom with her boyfriend Ben Brun. Rory spent most of her free time working with or riding horses and always looked forward to attending local steeplechases. She was a member of the US Hunter Jumper Association and a competing member of the United States Equestrian Federation. Her love of horses began at a young age, and she developed a special connection to thoroughbreds and an enthusiasm for show jumping. During the summer, when she wasn’t at the barn, Rory spent as much time as she could at the beach or just outdoors in the sun. She and her sister especially looked forward to the annual family trip to Fenwick Island. Rory loved to cook and often spent her weekends finding just the right ingredients for new recipes or to prepare her favorite meals. Growing up, Rory, her sister, and two closest family friends, Leo and Gigi Failla, spent endless days devising and going on elaborate adventures all around the family farm. She enjoyed hiking with her sister, friends, and dogs in the local nature preserves. Rory always looked forward to traveling and trying new foods along the way. She loved the Caribbean and New Orleans and found fun in just about any new place that she visited. Rory had hoped to attend college at Tulane, or in Florida, where she could find new passions, continue to be involved with horses, and enjoy the sun.
Rory is survived by her sister Cassidy Wells, her parents Heather Wholey and David Wells, her grandparents, Cynthia Wholey and William Wells, her dogs Zeke and Sandy, and her aunts, uncles, and eight cousins who are proud of her and love her dearly.
In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make a donation in Rory’s memory to Work to Ride, a nonprofit organization benefiting underserved Philadelphia youth, giving them the opportunity to learn to ride and support their junior riding careers. Donations can be made in her name directly online at www.worktoride.net/support/ or via check by reaching out to [email protected].
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