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Christina Westfall Obituary
On May 20, 2017, my magnificently beautiful daughter, Christina, died from an accidental overdose. It takes months to get a toxicology report back from the coroner, but her addiction was to heroin and crack-cocaine. She was 24 years old. I want to share her story in the hope that lives may be saved and her death will not be in vain. No one plans to be an addict.
As a child, Christina was a treasure and was loved deeply, with so much promise and yet she still died from an overdose. Addiction does not discriminate. Using heroin once is all that it takes to get hooked; from then on you are playing Russian roulette. This is what happened to Christina. Heroin is a demon that affects the way your brain processes pleasure, taking over not just your brain but your life, destroying families and friendships.
Christina was drop-dead gorgeous, feisty, in-your-face outspoken, had a robust, contagious laugh, would do anything for a friend & always lit up a room with her smile, energy and crazy sense of humor. Hers was a 10 year struggle, starting with opioids and progressing to heroin. Many loved ones did everything they could to get her to stop, but heroin won the battle.
The day Christina died, a part of us died along with her. We will miss her every day for the rest of our lives. The pain of her death is heartbreaking and intolerable, which is why stories like Christina's should not be ignored. The only way we will conquer the heroin epidemic is to share our stories and raise awareness.
Christina, you have now found the peace you so desperately searched for here on earth. Before your descent into drugs, you trusted Jesus as your Savior and that fact is the biggest reason we can smile through the pain. Knowing you, you no doubt, have a front row seat in heaven and are ecstatic with how many people loved you and have been truly affected by your death.
Christina will be greatly missed by her mother, Pj (Pamela Champion) Sallie; her extraordinary daughter, Lyla; her sister, Ashley; loving grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins and friends.
A celebration of her heavenly homecoming will be held at Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman), Temperance, Michigan 48182 on Friday, May 26. Friends viewing 2–7 p.m. A special service at 7 p.m. Please bring your own helium balloon for a memorial release after the service. Leave balloon in your vehicle until we do the release.
Out of respect for our family absolutely no drama will be tolerated. Let us honor Christina for the beautiful young person she was when the heroin didn't have it's death grip on her.
"No temptation has overtaken you, except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted above what you are able. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way of escape that you may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 13:14
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Memories and Condolences
for Christina Westfall
Sponsored by Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home.
Sue Snow
January 17, 2022
I have saved Christina's obituary, because it touched me so much. I just reread it and have always wanted to tell you how much your words meant to a complete stranger. I hope you are all doing okay, this many years later. And I hope you and family receive this. God bless you all.
Peace be with you
~ Elizabeth
June 20, 2018
Continued thoughts and prayers for you, your mother and family....
March 31, 2018
Christina's life was not in vain. Listening to how she was loved by you and others.
Now you are sharing Christina's experience so that others can think about their choices.
My prayers go out to the family and friends of Christina.
Psalm 23
Elizabeth
December 24, 2017
Donna Ramey
October 17, 2017
After reading Christina's story I can only say that I do feel your pain. I lost my son a year ago after years of fighting that horrible demon heroin. As most parents have done I too put him in many detoxes and rehabs, sober houses and instead of an overdose a horrible fungal infection took his life. I can't stop crying to look at your beautiful young daughter and say not only did she have such beauty but as you all said so much inner beauty. When my son fought his years of addiction I couldn't understand why he just couldn't stop. All our family tried to help him but unfortunately heroin won . He was embarrassed and very angry with himself that he couldn't stop. Not a single day goes by that I don't think of what I maybe could have done different that could have saved his life. One thing I do know is that I could never have loved him more than I did. I thank god that I was able to hold him and say goodbye as he layed there on life support. For all the parents out there I know all of your pain. If you have a child with addiction never give up on them. I hope your story helps some of the young people that are struggling as our children did. I'm sure Christina and my Michael are in heaven helping all their friends . God bless you and all your family for telling your story.
Elizabeth ~ someone who cares
October 13, 2017
From across the way.....continued heartfelt thoughts and prayers for Pamela & Christina....Matthew 5:4
Summer Moore
July 13, 2017
CHRISTINA
I LOVE YOU AND I MISS YOU AND NOW I WILL ALWAYS MISS YOU. YOU WERE AMAMZING FUNNY AND SMART. YOU BRIGHTENED MY DAY ALL T HE TIME. TO HERE THIS I LOST IT BUT GOD MUST HAVE SAID ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND IT'S TIME FORBYOU TO COME HOME.. HE SEEN YOUR PAIN AND HE KNEW YOUR STRUGGLE.. I PRAY FORBYOUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER AND YOUR FAMILY.
LOVE ALWAYS
SUMMER
Leah Martin
May 29, 2017
It's so hard to understand why this would happen, but your momma explained that it will not be in vain...because you are going to help someone else out there. Bless you Christina and big hugs to your family.
~Elizabeth
May 28, 2017
I'll sincerely be praying for the Promises of Our Heavenly Father to continuously sustain you through this most unimaginable difficult time and comfort you until you are reunited with your beautiful beloved Christina again
Rest in Peace
~Elizabeth
May 28, 2017
May 28, 2017
This is truly heartbreaking....to the Dear Mother, Daughter Lyla, Sibling and Family of Christina, I never met your beautiful loved one and I am SO very saddened and heartbroken for you to read about her passing. The eulogy written for her was touching and very moving and you can tell that she was much loved. I would like to thank you for sharing her life story and I commend you for your honesty. Although, Christina's story is tragic, I pray that just one person who reads this realizes drugs are not the answer to their hurt or troubles and hopefully they decide this is not the path they want to take. I take comfort with you in knowing your beautiful beloved Christina is NOW SAFE IN THE ARMS OF OUR LOVING SAVIOR...my heartfelt condolences to all who knew this beautiful young woman.
Elizabeth ~
Margaret
May 27, 2017
Thank you for sharing this. I'm sorry for your loss for now, but celebrating with you her eternal peace and your joyful future when you are reunited with Christina.
May 27, 2017
With love and deepest sympathy from another mom who also wants to scream from the top of a mountain for this madness to stop. She was beautiful.
Linda Dunn
May 26, 2017
to your family...so very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter....my heart truly goes out to you....thank you for sharing your heartbreaking tragedy in hopes that it will help those that also may be struggling...I pray for strength for your family during this time of sadness....bless you all!!
Beth Gleason (Sarah's Mom In Law)
May 26, 2017
Dear Family
I was not given the chance to meet your beautiful angel but reading this has given me a glimce of what Christina was about. A determined, youthful, loving devoted, and strong young woman.
I am so sorry that she has been taken away but
I do believe The Lord has wrapped his loving arms around her and will hold her safe from harm until the day you will be with her again.
Linda Brogan
May 26, 2017
Steve I was so saddened to hear about Christina's passing. I hope and pray that you will have the strength during this time of your loss. I remember Christina when Pam would bring her over to Grandma Lori's house to watch she was beautiful baby. My daughter Sarah and step-son Justin were friends at Start High School they are deeply sorry for your loss. My the Lord watch over her I know Grandma Lori is with her.
Taylar Schumacher
May 26, 2017
Christina I love you. I wish things were different between you and I but I cannot change the past. I hope you know how much you were loved. You will always be my friend. I love you so much! Watch over everybody.
Ashley Huepenbecker
May 26, 2017
I do not know your family, but I commend you for sharing your story. My family too is going through this epidemic with my younger brother who is a year older than Christina. It is a horrible horrible drug and takes over a person's life and the family. I am sorry to hear of the loss of Christina. We are hoping to overcome this. Thank you for sharing in hopes of saving another life.
Conny Bacon
May 26, 2017
I'm so sorry for your horrible loss John. I can't imagine the pain you and your family are enduring. You are also very brave to write the truth so that her death is not in vain and can help others. Addiction definitely changes people, rips families apart, and heroine and other drugs win all too often. As you said, Christina is at peace now, so I'll pray for you and her family. May God hold you in his arms and support you during this difficult time until we all meet again.
CC
May 26, 2017
I am so very sorry for the tragic loss of your dear loved one. May the God of all comfort be with you at this very difficult time.
Lisa McGuire
May 25, 2017
Christina was beautiful inside and out I will forever miss her. She had a good heart and genuine soul she's in heaven now with God may she rest in peace my heart and prayers go out to her family God bless you all..
Cathleen Gordon
May 25, 2017
To the Westfall family, Christina is so very beautiful in her picture. After reading the messages left by others I see that I not the only "stranger" to be deeply saddened by her struggles and passing. We are all children of God. In that I thank-you for your compassionate reaching out,in honesty , about Christian's life. I pray that other children of God will find determination, strength, and turn to others for the help needed to overcome their battle. God bless all of you, and welcome Christina home.
Wendy
May 25, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. I can see how much your beautifully written story has touched so many lives. Praying that this tragedy will help someone realizes how their addiction doesn't just hurt themselves, but also those who love them. So tragic, but as you said she is at peace now and with her Lord and Savior. I pray that you and your family will have peace. Many Blessings
Teri Garcia
May 25, 2017
Sweet Christina was a lovely, intelligent, young lady. She always respected me as her friends mothe. Always with a smile and a hug. I was always so glad to see her. We will miss her dearly until the day we walk with her on streets of gold in Heaven with Our Savior Jesus Christ and Our Heavenly Father.
Tim Quilter
May 25, 2017
To the Westfall family; Thank you for giving your heart felt testimony about Christina's struggle with the dangerous drugs that took her life. May the Lord receive her with open arms as she was a victim like so many others in the scourge that is destroying the very fabric of our society. May Cristina rest in peace for she is suffering no more.
~Ted
May 25, 2017
Dear Westfall family,
You don't know me, but I want to thank you for having the courage to publicly acknowledge Christina's addiction.
Hopefully, your words will stir addicts to realize the likely consequences of narcotic use.
I pray that all families who experience such a loss find the courage to speak out as you have.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this heart-wrenching time.
May 25, 2017
You dont know me but i just wanted to tell you how sorryI am for your loss. Your honesty in the obituary moved me and the loss of a child must be overwhelming, Mty prayers are with you and your family.
Marquita J
May 24, 2017
Praying for your family. Especially Christina's daughter. Look to the hills, it is where our help comes from. God will sustain you and comfort your hearts during this very difficult time.
Michelle Schultz-Karia
May 24, 2017
PJ, Ashley and family, may you find comfort knowing Christina is being held tight in the arms of our almighty Lord and Savior. May God lay His hands on you and give you peace. I will continue praying for your path to healing. Much love to you.
Jane Schultz
May 24, 2017
So sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter. I'm sure she had many demons to fight. I lost a niece of the same age a couple of years ago to heroine or something just as evil. Such tragic loss of beautiful lives. Prayers for you and your family.
H Prielipp
May 24, 2017
I commend you for your honesty. What a powerful tribute to our daughter. Thank you.
Ruthann Warren
May 24, 2017
Dear westfall family,my heart aches for you. It truly is a tragedy to lose someone so young.may you find comfort in God's loving arms .you don't know me but I wanted to let you know how bad I feel for you. GOD bless you all in this most difficult time.
Ruth Glanzman
May 24, 2017
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
May 24, 2017
May your family find peace.
DMOSLEY
May 24, 2017
Westfall Family:
We don't know each other, but let me start by saying "May God bring you comfort". And thank you for sharing your story to the community in hopes that others may be saved.
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