Mary Katrina Fey, 75, of Wauconda, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family and cherished grand puppies.

Born on January 2, 1951, in Blackfoot, Idaho, to Arthur and Clara Gegenheimer, Katrina spent her early years moving frequently due to her father’s career before the family eventually settled in Pennsylvania. These formative experiences nurtured in her a spirit of adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and a deep appreciation for family, learning, and the wider world.

Katrina shared 33 devoted years of marriage with her beloved husband, Edward Fey, during which they made their home in Lindenhurst, Illinois. Together, they built a life of love and a shared passion for teaching, discovery, and travel.

A lifelong educator, Katrina dedicated more than four decades to teaching and educational leadership in Illinois and Florida. She spent much of her career at North Chicago Community Unit School District 187 as a high school science teacher and school administrator, later continuing her work at Moore Haven Middle-High School in Glades County until 2021.

Her dedication to excellence was recognized through numerous honors, including earning her Masters Degree in Educational Administration from Northeastern Illinois University. She was especially proud of being named Lake County High School Science Teacher of the Year by Abbott Laboratories, being recognized in “Who’s Who Among American Teachers,” and her membership in the Delta Kappa Gamma Education Organization, which honors women educators for leadership and excellence in education

Teaching was not simply Katrina’s profession—it was her calling. She was deeply devoted to her curriculum, her students, and their futures; her passion for teaching was unwavering, and her belief in her students’ potential was constant. Among her many achievements, Katrina played a leading role in an International Space Station (ISS) related education initiative in which her students built a working space simulator and participated in an immersive mission-based curriculum. The space simulation program encouraged students’ interest in mathematics and science, and she was the first to implement the program in Lake County. She also implemented impactful programs and partnerships with the Great Lakes Naval Station and the Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC), expanding leadership and service-focused learning opportunities. And through persistent fundraising and collaboration with the Guy Harvey Research Institute, she enabled students to participate in professional shark-tagging research expeditions, contributing to marine conservation and authentic scientific research. In honor of her father, she established a scholarship for students pursuing degrees in engineering, ensuring that opportunity, mentorship, and inspiration would carry forward for generations to come.

Katrina’s influence extended far beyond academics; she served as an advocate and lifelong supporter, offering guidance, encouragement, and unwavering care by maintaining meaningful relationships with her students and their families long after graduation.

To all who knew her, she was a lover of ladybugs, a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend. She was a woman of sharp wit, generous spirit, compassion, and boundless enthusiasm. She loved spending time with her family and friends - expressing her love through baking, she loved doting on her cats and grand puppies, and she loved sharing her love of science with joy and reverence. Her presence illuminated every room, and her legacy will endure in the countless lives she shaped.

Katrina is survived by her children, Melissa (Scott) DeBoor, Barry (GG) Fey, Kristin (Brian) Smith, and Nathan Fey; her grandchildren, Seamus and Courtney; her sister, Martha Fightmaster; her three adored grand puppies; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Clara Gegenheimer; her beloved husband, Edward Fey; her brother, “Butch”; her sister, Anne; and her two loving cats, Missy and Shamu.

A celebration of Katrina’s life will be held in the spring, when family and friends gather to honor her remarkable legacy, reflect on the lives she touched, and share stories of love and gratitude. Details of the celebration will be shared by the family once arrangements are finalized. At a later time, Katrina’s ashes will be returned to Hawaii — a place she held close to her heart, where the beauty, serenity, and spirit of the islands brought her peace and joy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Katrina Fey’s name to Nova Southeastern University’s Halmos College of Arts and Sciences and the NSU Guy Harvey Research Institute, supporting marine conservation, education, and class-sponsored tagging expeditions. These contributions honor Katrina’s enduring commitment to nurturing curiosity, compassion, and a deep respect for the natural world.

Donations may be made online at: https://givenow.nova.edu/campaigns/73317/donations/new?tc=79602

Donations may also be made by mail to: Nova Southeastern University P.O. Box 2217 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303 

*Please make checks payable to Nova Southeastern University and include “36439 – STARR Program; in memory of Katrina Fey” in the memo line.