Katelyn Joy Derstine Scholarship: Katelyn Joy Derstine, 1986-2006

About Us: Katelyn Joy Derstine, 1986-2006

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Katelyn Joy Derstine
April 5, 1986 – June 15, 2006

Katelyn was entering her junior year at the University of Florida‚ majoring in environmental horticulture. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and Gator Pals-Circle K. Katelyn was an active member at both Riverview High School and within the Sarasota community in the following capacities: vice-president of the Senior Board‚ Tartan Yearbook staff‚ Highland Dancer officer‚ Key Club president‚ Big Brothers and Sisters‚ Mote Marine Intern‚ Renaissance‚ Funtastics Flyers‚ homecoming queen‚ and Community Youth Development. She was a violinist in both the Riverview Orchestra and the Florida West Coast Youth Symphony. She was also honored as a member of the Sarasota debutante society.

G8r Mom & G8rGirl

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Brother Dane, Tejo, Mom & Katelyn last time together the evening of Mom’s birthday, June 14, 2006

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Tejo & Katelyn: March 2006

Katelyn was a youth camp counselor at Spruce Lake Wilderness Christian Retreat. She had a fond appreciation and love for nature, animals, her pets and children. Katelyn spent a lot of her free time babysitting for family friends.

Katelyn’s strong Christian faith and spirit brought joy to the lives of everyone she encountered. Her innate creative ability will be treasured through her many photographic and artistic talents displayed in the scrapbook legacy of her life she left behind.

Katelyn's family said she will always be remembered for her radiant beauty both inside and out‚ as well as her joy of life. Katelyn treasured mostly her time with her family and friends in PA & FL.

Katelyn and three friends from the University of Florida were on their way to the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. Benjamin Taylor Stanley, 18, of Whitfield County, Ga., clipped their Ford F-250 pick-up truck with his silver 1997 Porsche Boxster on Interstate 75, according to reports in the Dalton Daily Citizen around 8:00 a.m. on June 15, 2006. Katelyn spent the evening before with her family in Sarasota celebrating her mother’s birthday.

"The Porsche was in the right (slow) lane. The driver (Stanley) went to change into the left lane and didn't see the Ford in the center lane," Georgia State Trooper John Foskey told the newspaper.

Katelyn was transported by helicopter to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she died from head trauma.

The Katelyn Joy Derstine Scholarship Fund, Inc. was established immediately after Katelyn’s death with the direction and compassion of Dr. Paul Gallagher, Assistant Principal /International Baccalaureate Coordinator of Riverview High School. Dr. Gallagher spoke at Katelyn’s celebration of life service noting that Katelyn was “part warrior, part Tinkerbell!”

Survivors include her parents‚ Bambi Famous-Kaine and Rodney L. Derstine‚ both of Sarasota; her stepfather‚ Jeffrey L. Kaine of Sarasota; a brother‚ Micheal “Dane”; a stepsister‚ Judith Kaine; a stepbrother‚ Daniel Kaine, all of Sarsaota; maternal grandmother‚ Joyce Becker of Schwenksville; paternal grandparents‚ Mr. and Mrs. James L. Derstine of Hatfield; grandparents‚ Jane Becker of Boca Raton‚ FL‚ and Dr. and Mrs. Henry Kaine of Bloomfield Hills‚ MI; great-grandmother‚ Mary Derstine of Souderton; great-grandfather‚ Robert C. Bucher of Harleysville, recently deceased; and 12 aunts‚ 11 uncles‚ 37 cousins‚ and countless friends‚ who all loved her.

A complete profile and photos of Katelyn, a chronicle of her life, family and friends will be added to our website in the next month.