A Central Kentucky school is in shock after a well-known teacher dies from a sudden illness. Students and teachers at Scott County High School spent the week hoping for the teachers return, but today learned the said news that she passed away.
43-year-old Regina Toy is well-known around the hallways at Scott County High School.
"She is focused on the academic team. She will do anything for those kids", says Scott County High School teacher Micheal Marshall.
"Regina taught math, biology, chemistry, and forensics", says co-worker Rhonda Spence.
Rhonda Spence and another teacher have been two of her closest friends, but today Spence took on her hardest assignment yet. She had to inform faculty and students Regina Toy had passed away.
"I've never had to lose a colleague. Not any colleague, but my best friend. She loved her kids. They were her kids", says Rhonda Spence.
Spence says Toy has had health problems lately.
"She has been sick for awhile. We've been nagging her to go to the doctor. She thought she just had a cough", says Rhonda Spence.
On Sunday Spence says the teacher knew something wasn't right, so Toy went to the emergency room at a hospital in Montgomery County and was diagnosed with pneumonia.
"Regina had coded in the night and they had to perform CPR on her and bring her back on a ventilation. She had signs of severe brain trauma", says Rhonda Spence.
A day later she was transferred to Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington.
"She had fluid around the heart", says Rhonda Spence.
"Everyone was rushing to the hospital to see her yesterday", says Michael Marshall.
Today to the surprise of faculty and staff Regina Toy passed away.
Co-workers of Regina Toy say they now plan on doing something in honor of their friend to make sure she is not forgotten. The first idea is a "Toys for Toy" drive.
"It will be a fitting tribute. She'd do anything for anybody", says Rhonda Spence.
The school is planning to hold some type of memorial for Regina Toy. As for funeral arrangements, they are still being made.
