Casey McIntyre, a New York-based publishing executive known for her warmth, wit, and generosity, is being remembered as a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished daughter, and doting aunt following her death from ovarian cancer at age 38.
McIntyre, who served as vice president and publisher at Penguin Random House’s Razorbill imprint, passed away on November 12 at her home, surrounded by loved ones. Her husband, Andrew Rose Gregory, shared the heartbreaking news in a post on X (formerly Twitter), along with a message Casey had prepared in advance.
“A note to my friends: If you’re reading this, I have passed away,” McIntyre wrote. “I’m so sorry, it’s horsesh*t and we both know it. The cause was 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.”
Gregory, who shares a daughter named Grace Valentine with McIntyre, added an editor’s note explaining she was unable to finish the message as her health declined. He wrote that she had hoped to include a list of things that brought her joy—like their daughter, whales, the beach, reading ten books on vacation, and roast beef sandwiches—but she simply ran out of time.
A Legacy of Compassion
In her final wishes, McIntyre asked to be remembered through an act of kindness: forgiving others’ medical debt. In a powerful gesture reflecting her awareness of healthcare inequality, she launched a campaign before her passing to eliminate burdensome medical debt for strangers.
“To celebrate my life, I’ve arranged to buy up others’ medical debt and destroy it,” she wrote. “I am so lucky to have had access to the best medical care…and am keenly aware that so many in our country don’t.”
Her fundraising campaign, “Casey McIntyre’s Debt Jubilee,” has already raised more than $91,000 to help erase medical debt for those in need—a mission she hoped would be her lasting impact.
A Life Cut Short by a Silent Disease
McIntyre was diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer four years ago, a disease that is notoriously hard to detect and often diagnosed in its advanced stages. Despite undergoing treatment, she succumbed to the illness that disproportionately affects women and has one of the highest fatality rates among gynecologic cancers.
Ovarian cancer primarily impacts women over age 55, but about 13% of cases occur in women under 45, like McIntyre. Risk factors include family history of certain cancers and genetic mutations such as BRCA1 or BRCA2. Symptoms are often subtle, including abdominal bloating, pelvic pain, and frequent urination, which can delay diagnosis.
Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News’ chief medical correspondent, has emphasized the importance of discussing these symptoms with a gynecologist if they persist for more than two weeks a month.
No Routine Screening — But Hope in Research
There is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. While tools like pelvic ultrasounds or CA-125 blood tests may be used in some cases, they are not universally recommended for all women.
Treatment typically involves surgery and chemotherapy, and survival rates vary significantly depending on how early the disease is caught. While the overall five-year survival rate is 81%, it drops significantly for more aggressive forms.
Honoring a Life Full of Love
Those who knew McIntyre describe her as a radiant spirit—fiercely intelligent, endlessly compassionate, and full of life. In his tribute, Gregory said she was “incorrigibly devoted” to her niece and nephews, loved the ocean, and was happiest with a book in hand and laughter in the air.
“There is a hole in the world where Casey was,” he wrote, “but the love she left behind is immeasurable.”
As friends, family, and strangers continue donating to her Debt Jubilee, McIntyre’s story serves as a reminder of the power of kindness, even in life’s most difficult moments.
She is survived by her husband Andrew, daughter Grace, her parents, sister, extended family, and countless friends who will carry her legacy forward.
