In a poignant farewell message shared on social media, Casey McIntyre, a 38-year-old Brooklyn mother and publisher at Razorbill, a Penguin Random House imprint for children and young adult books, announced her own passing. McIntyre, who succumbed to ovarian cancer on Sunday, had crafted the message to reassure her loved ones of the depth of her affection for them.
The heartfelt Instagram post, accompanied by a series of photos featuring McIntyre with her family and friends, began with a somber note: “If you’re reading this, it means I have passed away.” She expressed her deep love for her friends and family, and described the last five months she spent in home hospice as “magical.”
Her husband, Andrew Gregory, and their 18-month-old daughter, Grace, were among those prominently featured in the photos. Gregory revealed that McIntyre’s post was left unfinished due to her deteriorating health. He mourned the loss of the list of life’s joys and comforts she had intended to share, which he believed would have included their daughter, her love for whales, ice cream, beach trips, her cherished friends and family, reading, swimming, and her fondness for a perfect roast beef sandwich.
Gregory invited friends to share their own joyful memories with McIntyre in the comments, leading to an outpouring of heartfelt responses. The post quickly gained traction, garnering thousands of likes and hundreds of touching comments.
On Wednesday, Gregory updated McIntyre’s Instagram with an obituary, describing her as a beloved family woman and a dedicated New Yorker. The obituary highlighted her passion for publishing books for young readers, reflecting her own childhood love for reading.
Born on February 1, 1985, McIntyre was raised in Upper Manhattan and Tenafly, New Jersey. She attended Agnes Scott College in Georgia before marrying Gregory in 2015. She was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2019 while undergoing in vitro fertilization treatment. Despite the challenges, the couple welcomed their daughter, Grace, in April 2022.
McIntyre’s family fondly remembered her for her wit, laughter, devotion to her loved ones, and her remarkable determination. They also recalled her knack for knowing the best bodegas for magazine selections and restaurants for celebrity spotting.
A memorial service is scheduled for December 2 at the Prospect Park Boathouse. In lieu of flowers, mourners are encouraged to anonymously purchase and forgive medical debt through the charity RIP Medical Debt. As of Wednesday afternoon, over $44,000 has been raised in McIntyre’s memory.