“If you’re reading this, it means I have passed away”: Young mum announces own death
Casey McIntyre, 38, has announced her own death in a heartbreaking post shared on Instagram.
The mother-of-one from New York, passed away after a battle with stage four ovarian cancer on November 12.
Casey's death was announced on Tuesday via a post that she had penned before her passing, which was shared by her husband Andrew.
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.
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."
"The cause was a recurrence of my previously diagnosed stage four ovarian cancer.
"I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved.
"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."
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:
"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.
"As she grew sicker, she couldn’t finish it," he explained.
"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.
"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.
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 fundraiser to help pay off others' medical debt.
"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.
As of today, $47,343 out of their $50,000 goal has been raised in honour of Casey.
Tributes have poured in from loved ones in the comment section of her post.
"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.
"You have left a beautiful legacy and you will be deeply missed. All my love to your family and your beautiful baby Grace. ❤️"
"Casey you were so funny and sharp and beautiful and that light that shone through your eyes lit up the world," wrote another.
Images: Instagram