Chole Ring, 18, aspired to help animals

CHLOE RAIA RING planned to direct her love of animals into a career in veterinary medicine.

But the young woman, whose middle name means "blooming flower" in Greek, didn't get the chance. She died of cancer Saturday at the age of 18. She lived in Roxborough-Manayunk.

Chloe was indeed a "blooming flower," her family said. "She was a young, sweet, beautiful and vibrant beacon of light," they said.

She was also witty and charming. "She was hilarious and always had the right thing to say. She was very talkative, very loving and very brave," her family said.

She was born in Guatemala City, Guatemala. She was adopted at the age of 4 by Duane and Phillip Ring and brought to Philadelphia.

She graduated from New Hope Academy, in Doylestown, in May. She attended her freshman year at Camden County College until her cancer was diagnosed for the second time in August. She was being treated at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"Her love of animals made her pursue a career to be a veterinarian technician," her family said. "She was born with a deep compassion for animals, particularly the sick, wounded and abandoned."

In addition to her parents, she is survived by a sister, Madison. She is also survived by her dogs, Bear and Buster, and her cat, Rascal.

Services: Memorial service 1 p.m. Tuesday at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 5720 Ridge Ave.

Donations in her memory may be made to the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (pspca.org), Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (acctphilly.org) or Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (alexslemonade.org).