Amy Wales died Jan. 16. She was 62.

Horses were her lifelong passion. She was born and raised in New York city, riding at Claremont stables and upstate New York in the summers until as a young teenager she went to the Windsor Mountain School in Lenox with her first horse, Orphan. The rest is history. Amy rode avidly in college and earned a degree at the University of New Hampshire in animal science, followed by horse master certifications in England and Connemara Trail experience.

She worked at the Rhinebeck Hunt Club, Mounted Troop in New Canaan, Conn., Millers Equestrian Co., several horse farms and then her own stable in Colchester, Vt., for 13 years. In 2011 she moved to Martha’s Vineyard to be close to her family on the Island. On the Vineyard, she worked on a private equestrian property, training horses, caring for and loving all the animals including ducks, birds and a wonderful rescue donkey named Horton. She was a talented rider, instructor and respected horse trainer. She was a talented artist as well. She was a devoted sister and a passionate friend. She always wore a smile and had time to talk and offer wit, warmth and comfort to people especially at the Boys & Girls Club Second Hand Store, where she worked a few days a week. They became her second family.

She left too soon and will be sorely missed.

She is survived by her sisters Stephanie Burke and Vanessa Eve Moore; nephews Victor and Nathan Moore, niece Sadie Moore, nephews Damon and Nolan Burke and fiancé Hilary Spann, niece Samantha Davenport, grand-nephews Jonathan and Jared Davenport, stepmothers Ruth Wales and Claudia Wales, Uncle H. Elliot and Fane Wales, cousins Bruce and David Wales and cousins Connie, Louise and Karen Kramer and family.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 2 to 5 p.m. at 40 Meeting House Way off the West Tisbury Road in Edgartown. All friends are welcome.

Please feel free to being a thought or story to share. In lieu of flowers, an account at gofundme.com/amy-wales-memorial-fund has been set up to help cover expenses.