Loraine K Ferreira

L. Katrina Ferreira

L. Katrina Ferreira, 57, loving daughter, dear sister, and unforgettable friend to many, passed away peacefully surrounded by family Nov. 4, 2021.

Born in North Little Rock, Arkansas, Katrina spent her childhood in Batesville, where she formed many lifelong friendships. Her family moved to Jacksonville, Arkansas in 1977. Katrina graduated from North Pulaski High School in 1982 then attended the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she served as a newspaper staff photographer.

Katrina was a lifelong journalist and editor. Her first formal job began in 1982 at the Jacksonville Daily News. She then worked for the Arkansas Democrat until 1991 as an assistant wire editor, copy chief, and news clerk. Katrina made the exciting move to Montgomery, Alabama in 1991 where she became an assistant news editor and copy chief at the Montgomery Advertiser. She later moved to Tampa, Florida where she served as a senior copy editor for The Tampa Tribune. Most recently, Katrina served as a copy editor in the education field as well as a freelance copy editor, which she continued until her death.

While so many became friends with Katrina in her capacity as a copy editor, there was much more to this whirlwind of a woman who fully embraced life. Katrina loved to travel, with a wanderlust likely inherited from her parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Liverpool, England two years before her birth. She often gleefully hopped in her car and made impromptu trips from Tampa to New Orleans for Mardi Gras and to Louisville to visit great friends.

Katrina was happiest when she was in The Big Easy, her neck adorned with bunches of colorful beads and some crazy hat on her head. Her smile was never brighter than during those trips. When she could not make it to New Orleans, Katrina brought NOLA home, often ordering and sharing fabulous King cakes with her friends and coworkers.

During her travels or while wandering locally, Katrina always carried her camera. She captured magic in a tiny flower or a massive mountain range…or a cat. Animals, especially cats, were a joy for Katrina, who rescued abandoned or homeless animals whenever possible, including her many cats through the years and her beloved dog Java.

And sparkle? That was Katrina. She loved all things shiny, from her glittering manicures to her huge collection of colorful, one-of-a-kind jewelry to match every vibrant outfit she wore. Like her baubles, Katrina was a shining jewel to so many.

Katrina rarely missed an opportunity to gather with friends. She loved deeply, and friends always knew if they needed her, she was there with no questions asked. In the last few years of her life, Katrina endured myriad health issues that made her unable to do many of the things she loved. Few heard her complain. She always looked forward to getting sprung from her confines and back into life.

Most recently, she looked forward to making trips to Disney World and to Mardi Gras in 2022 to connect with close friends. Kat was unable to make these trips, but working toward these goals kept her hopeful.

Katrina was preceded in death by her mother, Brenda Ferreira and her grandparents on both sides of her family. She leaves behind her father, William Ferreira, of Hernando Beach, Florida; brother, Raymond (Kathleen), of Wesley Chapel, Florida; numerous cousins in the United Kingdom and the U.S.; two former stepdaughters with whom she remained close; and many wonderful friends.

A Mardi Gras-themed celebration of Katrina’s life will be held on December 5, 2021 at the Hernando Beach Coast Guard Auxiliary Building (4340 Calienta Street, Hernando Beach, FL) from 2-4 pm. To ensure adequate planning for the celebration, the family requests RSVPs through the evite link provided.

http://evite.me/EEcAnD2UVK

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in her name to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Gulfside Hospice, or the American Heart Association.

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