Rachel Lee Callagy

Rachel Lee Callagy (nee Rachel Lee Warbington) passed away on July 18, 2025, at age 52, after battling breast cancer for several years. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia on August 15th, 1972, as the only child of Raymond M. and Merry A. Warbington. 

As her father’s career advanced, the family moved from Georgia to Nebraska, and then to Illinois, where Rachel graduated from DeKalb High School in 1990. After graduation, the family settled permanently in North Kansas City. Rachel attended NW Missouri State and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. She later transferred to William Jewel College in Liberty, Mo where she completed her degree in English. While she was at William Jewel, she co-founded Jewel’s Organization for Woman. She was also an editor of Facets, the campus literary magazine. As a student, she studied abroad in Stuttgart, Germany, an experience that she fondly remembered. 

After graduation, Rachel pursued her interest in marketing and advertising. She worked for many years for professional trade organizations in that role. She also enjoyed writing and editing. In 1999, she was a Special Sections Writer for the Kansas City Star and her work also appeared in Ingram’s Magazine, a regional business magazine.

 In 2007, Rachel married Peter Callagy, and found her true love and vocation when her daughter Ireland was born in 2010. She left the workforce to be Ireland’s mom full-time. In recent years, Rachel returned to advertising part-time by starting her own direct mailing and social media services. 

As her illness advanced, Rachel embraced her true passions. She loved movies, Disney, cool cars, nail art, and styling accessories. But most of all, she loved being a mom.

Rachel is survived by her cherished daughter, Ireland Ruby Callagy, who will be raised and loved by her immediate and extended paternal family. Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond M. and Merry A. Warbington. 

Private interment will be at Terrace Park Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.