“If you’re reading this, it means I have passed away”: Young mum announces own death
<p>Casey McIntyre, 38, has announced her own death in a heartbreaking post shared on Instagram. </p>
<p>The mother-of-one from New York, passed away after a battle with stage four ovarian cancer on November 12. </p>
<p>Casey's death was announced on Tuesday via <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CzmnPArO37i/?img_index=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a post</a> that she had penned before her passing, which was shared by her husband Andrew. </p>
<p>The post showed a carousel of images highlighting special moments of Casey's life, including her childhood, their wedding and a few photos with their 18-month old daughter. </p>
<p>The statement began: "A note to my friends: if you’re reading this it means I have passed away. I'm so sorry, it's horses*** and we both know it." </p>
<p>"The cause was a recurrence of my previously diagnosed stage four ovarian cancer.</p>
<p>"I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved.</p>
<p>"The five months in home hospice that I got to spend with my family and friends in Virginia, Rhode Island, and New York were magical." </p>
<p>Tragically, Casey did not have the chance to finish her post, with her husband adding a tribute to his wife in an "editors note" which read: </p>
<p>"Casey meant to finish this post with a list of things that were a comfort & a joy to her during her life, and I am heartbroken that I will never see that list.</p>
<p>"As she grew sicker, she couldn’t finish it," he explained. </p>
<p>"I imagine it would’ve included our daughter Grace, whales, ice cream, her beloved friends, being at the beach, her niece and nephews she incorrigibly doted on, reading 10 books on a weeklong vacation, her beloved parents and sister and their amazing extended family, swimming, a perfect roast beef sandwich, and me, her sweet, sweet honey.</p>
<p>"Oh Casey! I don't know how we will do it without you but we will," he ended the tribute, before asking loved ones to share "a note that was a comfort or joy" that they shared with Casey. </p>
<p>He also shared details of Casey's memorial service and revealed his wife's last act of kindness, where she hoped to "celebrate" her life by setting up a <a href="https://ripmedicaldebt.org/campaign/andrewrosegregory-47569/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fundraiser</a> to help pay off others' medical debt. </p>
<p>"We will celebrate her life by anonymously purchasing medical debt and then anonymously forgiving it, hopefully with a bonfire if they will let us," Andrew wrote. </p>
<p>As of today, $47,343 out of their $50,000 goal has been raised in honour of Casey. </p>
<p>Tributes have poured in from loved ones in the comment section of her post. </p>
<p>"Casey, in April 2019 on a phone call, you dreamed such big dreams for a book I didn’t yet believe in. They all came true. Your authors and colleagues were so lucky to have your humour, wit and light," wrote one friend.</p>
<p>"You have left a beautiful legacy and you will be deeply missed. All my love to your family and your beautiful baby Grace. ❤️" </p>
<p>"Casey you were so funny and sharp and beautiful and that light that shone through your eyes lit up the world," wrote another. </p>
<p><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>
