Cally Coatney, an 18-year-old from Jefferson City, tragically passed away on December 1 from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle crash that occurred the previous day on U.S. 63 in Boone County.
Her mother, Gwendolyn Coatney, shared that Cally made the selfless decision to donate her organs, saving the lives of several people through her gift.
“She gave sight to two people, the corneas of her eyes. Two people can now see because of her donation,” said Gwendolyn. “Knowing that two people will see the sunrises and sunsets, my daughter will live on in their eyes.”
In addition to donating her corneas, Cally gave other vital organs to help save lives. Her liver was donated to a woman on the West Coast, while her kidneys saved a woman and a young boy in the Midwest. Additionally, her pancreas was sent for scientific research.
Although her skin was not usable, her tissue donations could potentially benefit up to 100 individuals. Unfortunately, her heart was not suitable for transplantation.
The process to find a match for Cally’s heart proved to be lengthy, with Gwendolyn noting, “The longest part of this whole process was waiting to hear if someone wanted her heart.” Despite extensive searching, they received confirmation at 3 a.m. on Thursday that no match could be found.
Gwendolyn recalled a heartfelt conversation with her daughter about organ donation, which took place when Cally got her driver’s license at the DMV. “We talked about if anything happened to her and I wasn’t there, she needed to make her wishes known.
If she wanted to donate her organs or contribute to science, it needed to be on her ID because nobody can read your mind if you can’t speak for yourself,” said Gwendolyn. Cally chose to list herself as a donor at that moment.
On the day of her crash, Gwendolyn first learned about her daughter’s accident through the Life360 app, which indicated a “crash detection.” “I kept calling her, but she didn’t answer. I got this terrible wave over me that something was wrong,” she said.
First responders at the scene included a nurse from Arkansas traveling to a Mizzou football game with her family. They provided immediate aid to Cally, helping to keep her alive until paramedics arrived. Gwendolyn expressed gratitude to this family for their quick response and kindness during the emergency.
After being transported to University Hospital in Columbia on Saturday, Cally underwent surgery to treat injuries to her spleen and stomach. Sadly, she passed away the next day.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Cally was driving too fast for the conditions during the accident and was not wearing a seatbelt when her vehicle went off the road, struck a road sign and a concrete culvert, overturned, and ejected her from the vehicle.
Gwendolyn urged others to learn from her daughter’s story, emphasizing safety and the importance of seatbelt use. “Tell your loved ones to wear their seatbelts,” she said. “If there’s snow or ice, your job isn’t worth risking your life over.”
Gwendolyn also shared the importance of making organ donation decisions ahead of time and having open conversations with family members about these wishes.
Cally was described as an exceptional student with a strong commitment to her community. She was a straight-A student with a passion for cheering, dancing, swimming, and nature.
She actively participated in wreath-laying ceremonies at the veterans’ cemetery, was part of the Boys and Girls Club, and worked at local establishments such as 7 Brew and Heisinger Bluffs.
She was well-loved by her community, and her coworkers showed incredible support by donating their PTO to help Gwendolyn during this difficult time.
Her mother expressed gratitude for the overwhelming community support and the generosity of everyone who assisted. “From the bottom of my heart, I’m truly grateful for everything,” she said.
Two balloon releases are planned in memory of Cally—one at 7 Brew and the other at Binder Park in Jefferson City—to celebrate her life. Her mother hopes her daughter’s memory will bring peace to those grieving, encouraging them not to dwell on “what-ifs.”
The visitation will take place on Sunday, December 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Millard Family Chapels in Jefferson City, followed by a memorial service open to the public. Cally’s ashes will later be taken to Southern Missouri at the family cemetery and a beach in Florida she loved.
A GoFundMe page has been created to assist with medical bills and funeral expenses. Gwendolyn expressed gratitude for all the nurses and kindhearted people who supported her family during this ordeal.
“She was a shining star,” Gwendolyn said. “Cally loved everyone, and she always brought joy to others. I want her memory to live on.”