Thora Jane Riley

Thora Jane Riley, age ten, of Irwin, PA, passed away unexpectedly at home due to complications from a lifelong epileptic condition. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Clifford Ruck Sr. Thora couldn't wait to be born. In sharp contrast to her older sister's reluctance to enter the world, evidenced by her late entrance and her all-too-cavalier fourteen hour plus delivery, Thora sped to the starting line with tenacity. Not only did she immediately latch conception, but she arrived over a week early, and came so quickly that her midwife couldn't don gloves in time. Punctuated by waves of laughter and juggling a wiggling newborn, she explained this was known as "catching her, Old School." Thora burst into existence screaming that she belonged, regardless of the preparedness of anyone else, and that determination for living carried her through the rest of her too-brief life. Stubborn and achingly independent, often to her own detriment, Thora would often be offered necessary help, and then decide that help wasn't welcome, that she could manage just fine on her own, thank you very much. This commonly resulted in exasperated parents and an impatient older sister, but a happy kid. A kid that felt free, despite medical complexities that never hesitated to serve as a lingering reminder of the challenges she faced. Often a high-energy toddler, Thora spent a lot of time turning over the cat's food dish, sneaking up the stairs unsupervised, and trying to figure out that front door knob because there HAS to be something interesting outside, if mom and dad are always going out that way every morning. Yet some of her sweetest moments were found in snapshots of placidity: standing by the kitchen window, contemplatively looking out into the backyard; dozing in mom and dad's bed, soaking up the late morning sun; watching her older sister toggle through a video game on the living room television; and attending her favorite shows with surgical-level focus. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Bluey, repeat. Thora was a calm child, despite her doggedness. She loved naps. She loved to lie on the couch with family. She loved afternoon car rides. She hated getting her hair brushed. She hated being told what to do. She spearheaded the war effort against her single greatest archnemesis, the family cat, Quinn (note the aforementioned attack on the food dish), and after a long and dreary back and forth, finally reached a point of near-treaty: don't touch me, and I won't touch you. That resolve, of course, so often faltered publicly, when family would spot a shared moment of fondness between them: a secret rub of the head, a covert pat on the tail, the shared agreement between the two that it doesn't count if we don't make eye contact. Left to treasure her memory are her parents, Tim and Shannon, her older sister Amelia, paternal grandparents Dave and Trish Riley, maternal grandmother Amy Reis and her wife Stephanie, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and extended family and friends. She will be missed by so many. Please join us for a visitation with family Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. at ASHLEY D. X. NYE CREMATION CARE & FUNERAL HOME INC. 408 Depot St. Youngwood, PA 15697.  Floral donations can be made via the funeral home website at www.nyefuneralhome.com. All are welcome to attend. For those looking to donate directly to the family, a college fund has been set up in Thora’s memory for her older sister, Amelia, all donations can be remitted and sent directly to the funeral home .

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