Christina E. Zajicek

Christina Ewa Zajicek, 32 of Denver, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by a most extraordinary love and the fresh mountain air on Saturday, June 19th, 2021.

The day of her passing, we woke up knowing the angels were near, so spent an incredible day with her - sharing memories, pictures, tears and smiles, holding her delicate hands, reading cards filled with thoughtful words, and telling her how remarkable she was as the Denver sunshine wrapped us in its light. When we told her it was ok to turn that final page in the book of her beautiful life, we noticed a tiny tear had collected in her eye. Maybe she knew it was goodbye, and perhaps she was relieved to be leaving the body that was worn from fighting so incredibly hard…but I choose to believe she cried upon seeing the turquoise waters of heaven, vast in their beauty, welcoming her spirit home to finally float free.

The weather that Saturday was also uniquely special, I smile when recalling the simple yet awe inspiring seasonal display we enjoyed together as her heart softly beat on its final day. Sitting under her living room window we witnessed periods of intense sunshine, drifting clouds muting its bright rays, a crisp breeze alternating between swift and calm, and claps of thunder which were followed by seemingly ominous rain drops which came heavy and large, as my dad remarked that God was crying down upon us. What followed this brief storm was the most amazing sun shower which I just happened to capture on video; watching it back later that day I noticed a single stray beam of light shining down and am grateful for this forever memory to know that Christina is always here with us.

Christina's passion was travel and writing, which informed her emotions, world view and life goals, as she described in her own words: "This world is so large, and so beautiful. I want enough time to experience every part of it. I want to hear every language, experience every culture. I want to swim in all four oceans and experience the aromatic food, culture, people, and religions of the 196 countries of the world. I want to eat black truffles in Croatia, twirl my fork around strands of fresh made pasta in Sicily. I want to get drunk off wine in the Loire Valley of France and dance alone through fields of lavender in Provence at sunset, seeing feeling warmth of the ground and aroma from the purple flowers as my limbs crash through the stalks. I want to see the sunrise from the top of the world. I want to meet as many of my fellow humans as I can, across all countries, religions, languages, and temperaments. I want to ask them as many questions as I can."

A quick glance through the pictures of her travels, near or far, tells a marvelous story of a full and vivid life, rich experiences, spectacular adventures, exploring the roads less traveled, and an accomplished bucket list enviable by those who live to be one hundred years young. We should all take a lesson from her carefree spirit that refused to be burdened with cancer, to go where the wings of planes, engines of trains, wheels of automobiles, sails of boats, and footsteps of life take us.

With measured prose and a wisdom beyond her years, she left us with some things to reflect upon as we continue through our days:

"You don't know me yet, but my name is Christina Zajicek. I'm 28 years old, and I am dying. But, here's the thing. So are you. There's not enough time in every way you could interpret the statement, so I'll make this short. You have the most wonderful gift of life and limitless potential to live and love fearlessly. All you want is within your reach; it just takes some action and hard work. In the meantime, love each day. Love each person. Make each day more magical for yourself and the people around you.

Make decisions that make you happiest and don't make decisions based on fear of what could happen, guilt, or the way everyone thinks things should be done. Look up from your phone more often. Feel in perpetual awe of the world because this is pretty damn incredible place filled with endless people to meet and learn from and countless places to explore and experience. Spend more time with people and in nature. Close your eyes and feel the sunlight on your face. Really feel it. Feel the warmth on your forehead and cheeks. Listen to the sound of the wind blowing the trees. Look at someone around you and be incredulous that everyone has come from a series of cells and molecules and good and awful experiences to be alive and be a part of your world at this very moment.

Go all in. Whether it's loving someone so deeply you feel it pulsing in every molecule of your being, investing every dollar you have in a wild dream you have, or making a decision that scares the living shit out of you. Find out what you are most afraid of and do it anyway. Know that all moments of pain will pass. Force yourself to feel so alive that you could swear electricity is literally running through your veins. Everything is infinitely possible and you are right where you need to be. But now you have the remarkable opportunity to be more brave, more honest, more kind, and more alive. Just go out and do it.

Even though I am dying, this is not a story about death. It is a story to make you feel alive."

Christina was born on September 17th, 1988 to Wieslawa Rybicka-Zajicek and Edward Zajicek in Morgantown, West Virginia. The area surrounding Morgantown is hilly and mountainous; how fitting that she was welcomed into the world by the Appalachian Mountains, planting the seed for her love of the great outdoors. She attended Holland High School (Holland, MI) where she played varsity tennis and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) with a degree in economics and public policy in 2010 which she used to establish a successful career in consulting and solar and renewable energy.

Christina is survived by her sweet adopted dogs Rusty and Pearl, partner Casey Williamson, parents Wiesia and Edward Zajicek, furry brother Copper, sister Elizabeth Zajicek Vosnos, brother-in-law Dan Vosnos, extra special nephew Ellis Vosnos, furry niece Peepers, aunt Anna Zajicek, "babcia" Jada Zajicek, additional family in Poland and Australia and countless wonderful friends spanning the globe.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Pola Rybicka, Zenon Rybicki and Edward J. Zajicek.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to GiGi's Playhouse Deerfield (Illinois), which serves children and adults who have Down Syndrome with free programming to maximize self-confidence and empower individuals, like her nephew Ellis, to achieve their greatest potential.

A visitation will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home (West Metro Chapel, 901 S. Sheridan Blvd, Lakewood, Colorado) on Tuesday, June 29th from 2pm – 5pm. On her birthday later this year, September 17th, a funeral mass will be held at a local Denver church followed by a fabulous evening of food, dancing, champagne and sparkles to celebrate her extraordinary life (additional details to follow).