Heidi Felix: giving to Wantagh in many ways

Ask almost anyone around Wantagh about Heidi Felix, and there’s a good chance they’ll know who she is. After 20 years in the community, Felix has made a name for herself with her dedication and service to the town she loves so much.

“Heidi is the most selfless woman, and dedicates herself regardless of what’s going on in her life,” said friend and fellow PTA member Sandy Gutfleisch. “Her bubbly personality just rubs off on you.”

Felix, 48, a business development officer for the Nassau Educators Federal Credit Union and a mother of two, has been involved with a number of organizations in Wantagh. “I first met Heidi when I moved to Wantagh, and she was so hands-on with the school,” Gutfleisch said. “Where help was needed, she was there.”

Felix was a class mom for two years and worked up to PTA board member and corresponding secretary. She and Gutfleisch bonded when they worked on the PTA Council together and watched their sons play football side by side at Wantagh High School. “She doesn’t do things for a pat on the back or for the recognition,” Gutfleisch said. “When it comes to this town, she’s involved with everything good and sincere.”

Given her nickname, Happy Heidi, it’s no surprise that, no matter the cause, she is there with a huge smile on her face, ready to lend a hand. The Herald Citizen is proud to name her its 2015 Person of the Year.

Originally from Rochester, Felix moved to Wantagh with her husband to raise her children — Heather, now 17 and a senior at Long Island Lutheran High School, and Hunter, 15, a sophomore at Wantagh High School. When they were young, she decided to leave her job as a production publishing specialist at Xerox to become a full-time mom.

“Her life changed when she decided to give up her career and stay home with her children,” said Sue Lipski, a long-time friend and a neighbor of 20 years. “She really put herself into being a great mother. I have four children of my own, and she’s been my right arm with help in picking them up from school or watching over them.”

Despite her parental responsibilities, Felix was hardly a stay-at-home mom. “She is very active in her church,” Lipski said. “She was a class mom, soccer coach and so much more.”