Former Jockey Mary Amodie Dies at 56
Description:
Mary Amodie-Wenzel, who rode in New England, Florida, and Pennsylvania, died unexpectedly March 20 at her home in Derry, N.H. She was 56.
She began her career on the old Massachusetts Fair Circuit in 1981 and later competed at the now-defunct Commodore Downs, Penn National, and Tampa Bay Downs before coming home to New England and moving her tack to Rockingham Park in 1985. Amodie won with her first Rockingham mount, a 17-1 longshot, April 8, 1985, and she won another 105 times at the New Hampshire oval before multiple serious injuries forced her out of the saddle four years later. From 2,366 mounts earning $771,862, her record was 197-220-225.
After retiring and recovering from the injuries, which include breaking her back twice, she graduated from nursing school and worked for various agencies as a traveling nurse.
She is survived by her husband Raymond Wenzel, daughters Andrea Rogers and Christine Wenzel, grandchildren Benjamin, Gavin, and Mary Ann, and brothers Joseph Amodie and John Amodie.
Services were private and arranged by the Douglas & Johnson Funeral Home. She will be buried in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Salem, N.H.