Hello, my name is Christina Pauda. I am a Family Nurse Practitioner with a clinical focus on rheumatology and autoimmune conditions. I am currently pursuing my doctorate at Lubbock Christian University while continuing my professional practice.Currently, I’m working on a project that’s very close to my heart helping those with autoimmune conditions, especially Spanish-speaking individuals, better understand medication adherence and manage their pain. Over the years, God has placed a deep passion in me to learn, to research, and to do whatever I can to make a difference. I truly believe that when we combine faith with knowledge, compassion, and truth, we can bring real healing and hope to others.Before this chapter in my life, I served as a Director of Nursing in long-term care from 2010 to 2022. Eventually, I felt God calling me to grow, to step out in faith, and to continue my education so I could serve others in a deeper way.I am married to my husband, Michael Pauda. I met him after the loss of my daughters, Katrina Cyan Castillo, in 2018, a loss that forever changed my life. Through the past several years, he has shown me what unconditional love truly looks like. He has stood beside me in my grief, in my healing, and in my growth, loving me through both my hardest and most beautiful moments.I am a woman of faith. I won’t pretend to be perfect, I fall short every day, but I know where I belong. My foundation is in Christ, and I try, every day, to walk in His love, His grace, and His mercy. I lean on Him in my weakness, and I give Him the glory in my strength.Everything I do is rooted in God. In the center of his heart.
But I also want you to know this, no matter where you are in your faith, or even if you’re still searching, you are welcome here. This is a safe space. A place without judgment. A place for the broken, the grieving, the lost, and the weary. A place for those who feel like they have to carry everything alone.
Here, you don’t have to.
This space is for sharing real stories, real pain, real healing, and real hope.
You are not alone. There is a whole community here, ready to walk beside you, pray with you, and support you.
Welcome to my page, KatrinasLegacy.org
Here, I will share my journey, my grief, my healing, and everything in between. I will be open about what it looks like to carry loss while still choosing to live, to love, and to trust God through it all. I’ll share what has helped me, what I’m still learning, and how I continue to navigate the many emotions that come with grief.
I am still walking this path, just like you.
And I am here for you.
Katrina Cyan Castillo was born on December 5, 1997, a light in this world from the very beginning. Her life was marked by both profound loss and extraordinary love. When Katrina was just two months old, her father was tragically killed in an accident. She never had the chance to meet him, yet that loss became part of the quiet strength she carried throughout her life.
Katrina was only 20 years old when her life was taken, leaving behind a silence that can never truly be filled.
She was the kind of person you felt before you even spoke to her, loving, calm, and deeply caring. Many described her as the sweetest soul they had ever known. Her presence lit up every room, her laughter was unforgettable, and her energy made people feel seen, welcomed, and alive. Katrina never needed to demand attention; her spirit naturally filled the space around her.
She had a sparkle about her that was unmistakable. Katrina loved glitter, and truly, everything she touched seemed to turn into it. That radiant, joyful energy earned her the nickname “Glitter Doll,” lovingly given by her instructor at Vogue College, a name that captured her essence perfectly.
Katrina had big dreams and an even bigger heart. As a cosmetology student, she discovered her passion for beauty after a trip to Las Vegas, where she saw how the industry could transform not just appearances, but confidence and self-worth. She dreamed of opening her own salon, one that was bold, vibrant, and full of life. She envisioned chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, crystal accents shining throughout, music playing, laughter flowing, even a DJ and a bartender. For Katrina, beauty wasn’t just about hair or makeup; it was about creating an experience where everyone who walked in would feel beautiful, valued, and alive.
That was her gift, making people feel beautiful in every sense of the word.
Though Katrina’s life was taken far too soon, before she could fully realize her dreams, her impact did not end there. She is deeply loved, profoundly missed, and forever remembered by those who knew her.
Katrina’s Legacy was created so that her light continues to shine, through love, through remembrance, and through supporting others navigating grief. Her story is not only one of loss, but of a life so meaningful that it continues to inspire, even in her absence.
Katrina Cyan Castillo
Katrina Loved Music and dancing! She just loved having fun!
Katrina Always made time for her brothers and sister
She had big dreams to become a content creator and own her own business
