Paula Cenkovich, age 62, passed away on January 19, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. She was born in Flint, Michigan, and raised in Tampa, where she made her home and built a life rooted in faith, perseverance, and compassion.

Paula is survived by her loving mother, Laura Cenkovich; her daughter, Andrea Xiques; her grandchildren, Kayla and Nathaniel; and her siblings, Glenn, Vicki, Tracy, and Shelly. She was preceded in death by her father, Paul, and her beloved son, Eric.

A woman of remarkable strength and determination, Paula overcame many adversities throughout her life with grace and unwavering faith. She was a licensed plumber, an author, a paralegal, and held a master's degree in psychology. At the time of her passing, she was working toward her doctorate, continuing her lifelong commitment to learning and helping others.

Paula had a deep love for animals and dedicated much of her life to rescuing and advocating for them. Her compassion extended to all living beings, and she will be remembered as a strong, beautiful, and faithful soul whose heart was as generous as her spirit was resilient.

Visitation will be held at McDonald's Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated in her honor at Epiphany Church on Wednesday, January 28, at 9:00 a.m., followed by interment at Sunset Memory Gardens.