She was born in Hlukhiv (then part of the Russian Empire now of Ukraine) and died in Turramurra, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
The family returned to Latvia in 1922, where her father became prison governor at Jelgava.
Katrina qualified in general nursing and midwifery at the Red Cross hospital, Jelgava Latvia in 1943.
[7] She worked as a charge sister (1945-46) at the displaced persons' hospital at Lübeck, Germany.
After moving to Sydney, she worked at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) from 1961.