Empathetic, bright, caring, an unforgettable presence.
“Christina was a light in the life of those who knew her, with a presence that could be felt the moment she walked into a room,” says her mother Tammy. Her witty sense of humor and charming smile were what made people gravitate towards her, but her kind heart is what made them stay. She kept you laughing, and made you feel safe and secure when you were around her. Ever since she was a child, she had an awareness about her, a deep understanding of what others were going through.
Throughout her life she had an intense love of music. She was an exceptionally bright young woman and words were her favorite means of self-expression, whether she was singing, journaling, or writing poetry. She went through a lot in her life which gave her a deeply empathetic heart and meant that she was the person that friends would come to for support. Caring for others was her greatest gift to the world, so nobody was surprised when she decided to study nursing at the local community college.
But life had other plans for Christina, and she was blessed with two beautiful sons, Kaden and Kolton. The moment they entered her life they became the center of her world. She loved her boys more than anything and loved spending time with them, going to the playground, swimming, watching movies, and doing anything fun. The memories she left with them will last the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, being a single mother took a toll on Christina, as she quit school and started waitressing to provide for her family. She longed to leave Coatesville and start a new life somewhere else, but raising kids was a full-time job and she felt trapped. Around age 20 she began struggling with addiction. She started acting out, doing things that were out of character for her, and even found herself in some abusive relationships.
Life was not easy for Christina, as she regularly battled with her addiction and mental health issues. But through everything she was still that same beautiful caring soul that everyone knew and loved. “She was a pillar of hope for others who were struggling with their addictions as well. She always put others first, and though her life was short she left a lasting impact in the lives of so many,” remembers her mother.
Watching Christina struggle with her addiction was difficult for her family who always worried about her safety. Dealing with her mood swings and never knowing if they could trust her was the hardest part. They helped her legally and financially which put a strain on their family dynamics, and they could never understand why she couldn’t just overcome her addiction. But through everything her mother still remembers Christina as that blue-eyed little girl with a shining smile and an infectious loud laugh; the girl who brought so much joy into their family over the years and who enjoyed the simple pleasures of life like vanilla cake and peppermint bark.
Christina’s Mother, Tammy Leslie, provided the information for this narrative.
April 14, 1995 – June 11, 2020
Age 25-Lived with the disease of addiction 5 years
