Christina Lynn Vacha

In the comfort of her own home, Christina Lynn Vacha passed away Thursday, April 7th, 2022 — a week shy of her 50th birthday.

With a delightfully (yet painfully) stubborn and honest soul, Christina was an undoubtedly intelligent, genuine person. She had the emotional capacity to feel deeply and fully; held a great knack for puzzles, words, and games; she dreamed for adventure and travel; adored horseback riding and cruises; she treasured time spent with her family sharing meals, poking fun at each other, exchanging gifts. Christina loved having a moment to gain the upper hand and surprise someone.

Christina died peacefully in her sleep, guided to the other side by the same soothing meditative music she played nightly for years. Though she may no longer be with us physically, her spirit continues to live on beside us in the indescribable ways that spirits do.

As we read this now, Christina is experiencing both the innumerable blessings of the afterlife as well as the gift of what she wanted the most: to be everywhere at once and beside all whom she treasured.

It is no question that above anything else, Christina fiercely loves, idolizes, and dreams of the bright futures ahead for her children and grandchildren. Cassandra Jerman, Justin Vacha, and Jacob Vacha — she said — are the greatest gifts she could ever give this world. She boasted often that Makayla Vacha (wife of Justin) is the perfect match for her son and the best daughter she could ever ask for if she hadn’t already had one. Not a day goes by that her children don’t know she lived and breathed for them.

A proud grandmother, Christina has still managed to sequester and hoard gifts all through the year in efforts of spoiling her grandchildren in perpetuity. Avianna, Eli (children of Jacob) and Ezekiel (son of Justin) will always know their grandmother for her loyal, giving, and “totally badass” nature. She could not think of one thing her grandchildren could do, become, or believe, that she could not find room in her heart for as well.

While we may deeply miss her laughter, eye rolls, and cheeky expressions, all of these treasures and more will never truly disappear. We see them mirrored in the faces and movements of each of her children. We hear them played back in the personalities and humor of her sisters, Donna Meincke, Vicki Nietenbach, and her brother, Jason Gilbert.

We find comfort in returning to the source of these gifts — passed down from the ever-abundant love and soft nature of her most cherished mother, Linda Gilbert.

Christina’s journey on this earth was one that required endless feats of perseverance, strength, vulnerability, and bravery. Such efforts require long stretches of physical, emotional, and spiritual recovery. May we find peace together in trust, in forgiveness, in understanding, and in family.

A celebration of Christina’s life will be held on Tuesday, April 19th from 2-5pm at Faithwalk Church: 1480 Pearl Rd. Unit 5, Brunswick, OH, 44212. Virtual condolences can be left below — the family especially encourages sharing any personal memories of your times with Christina. They will be saved, shared, and treasured by her family.