Mallory Woods Leaves a Lasting Mark on New York City Rugby After Years of Service

 Mallory Woods built a life in rugby that reached beyond the field, leaving a distinctive mark on the Village Lions through leadership, friendship, fundraising, and determination. She died Saturday, August 15, 2026, after a 20-month battle with cancer, prompting sadness among teammates, friends, and members of the New York City rugby community. Mallory was remembered not simply for what she accomplished, but for the energy she brought to every room, project, match, and gathering.

Mallory’s connection with the Village Lions began around 2013, during her time working with Play Rugby USA. What started as an introduction became a lasting commitment. She found ways to contribute wherever she was needed, embracing a community built around sport, service, and friendship. Her involvement showed that being part of a rugby club meant more than playing on game day; it meant helping shape the culture that keeps people connected long after the final whistle.

In 2014, Mallory served as women’s vice president, taking on a leadership role while using her creative talents to help the club grow. She served as art director for the Village Lions calendar fundraiser in 2014 and 2015, helping turn a fundraising project into an expression of the club’s personality. She also became deeply involved with White Collar Boxing events, participating several times and organizing two editions. Her work reflected imagination, persistence, and willingness to step forward.

On the rugby field, Mallory brought the same intensity that defined her work away from it. She won the President’s Cup in 2016 and developed a reputation as a formidable competitor. Teammates knew they could expect determination, whether she was pushing through a difficult match or encouraging others. Yet memories of Mallory extend beyond competition. She was valued as a friend, someone whose enthusiasm could lift a gathering and whose commitment made people feel their shared efforts mattered.

Her influence continued even after her playing years became part of the club’s history. In 2025, Mallory received the Lions Heart Award, an honor recognizing people who embody the values of the Village Lions. The recognition reflects how the organization viewed her broader contribution. Her story was never limited to wins, titles, or athletic ability. It was also about showing up, taking responsibility, supporting fellow members, and giving her time to projects that strengthened the community.

Mallory’s death leaves her husband, Dominic Galeano, and a circle of friends, teammates, and rugby supporters facing a difficult goodbye. Details about her age, early life, and funeral arrangements have not been publicly confirmed, while plans for a celebration of life are expected to be shared when available. Until then, tributes surrounding her memory speak clearly about the place she held in people’s lives. In New York City, NY, her name remains connected with a club she helped shape through years of service.

The clearest measure of Mallory Woods’ legacy may be found in people who carry pieces of her example forward. Her determination encouraged others to meet challenges with purpose; her creativity helped build club traditions; and her friendship gave teammates another reason to feel connected. The Village Lions now face the absence of someone who brought remarkable energy to their community, but the values she lived through sport and service remain. Mallory’s story is one of participation, generosity, courage, and lasting commitment to people she cared about.