An avid Hood River athlete, passionate artist, and mother of two died from injuries from a kiteboarding accident while on vacation near La Ventana, Mexico.
Christina Bockius, 43, was treated in a La Paz hospital Tuesday after breaking her neck and was flown to OHSU where she died early Thursday morning, said Peter Hixson, her brother-in-law.
"It was just a freak accident," he said. "We're just devastated."
She was not in the water when it happened, Hixson said, but was found on the sand with her kiteboard dragging her down the beach.
She is survived by her husband, David Kelly Bockius, and two daughters, Sascha, 10, and Nina, 7.
An avid skier and windsurfer, Bockius spent 60-plus days a year kiteboarding since she picked up the sport a few years ago, Hixson said, adding sports were "her path."
Hixson said her talents also transferred into the art world as a jewelry maker and advocate for keeping the arts in schools.
"She would teach classes herself," he said. "She would spearhead gathering supplies and get guests to teach painting and pottery."
Friends and family held a candlelight vigil for Bockius in Hood River on Wednesday night.
"There wasn't anyone more positive in life," he said. "She made people feel special."