From Stillinger Family Funeral Home in Greenfield, Indiana, with permission from Black's family:
"Alexandra “Alex” Marie Black, 22, of New Palestine, passed away December 30, 2018, at the Conservators Center in Burlington, North Carolina. Alex was born May 10, 1996, in Indianapolis to Thomas D. and Carolyn N. (Jones) Black.
Alex was a 2014 academic honors graduate of New Palestine High School, where she was active in many organizations, including National Art Honor Society where she served as historian; “Speak Out! Against Dating Violence,” serving as president; Danni’s Dream Outdoor Education Center as a volunteer; and a summer counselor at Camp Gallahue Girl Scouts camp. Alex was an avid reader, loved to scuba dive, and enjoyed all types of art including painting and sculpting.
Although Alex had many talents and interests, her first love was animals. Alex graduated in May 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Animal Behavior and minor in Biology from Indiana University. At IU, she was involved in ICAN (an organization that trains and places assistance dogs), biology club, PAWS and Midnight Snipes Quidditch.
She spent hundreds of hours on her internships including Wildcare Inc. in Bloomington, Ind.; Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center near Delphi. Ind.; Wolf Park in Battleground, Ind.; and had just begun an internship at the Conservators Center in Burlington, NC. She also volunteered for Frenzy Animal Rescue in New Palestine. She eventually wanted to be a zookeeper.
Alex was annoyed if people used her full name and would not welcome all of the attention. But Alex stood up for people who needed it. She was a strong advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and for mental health. She worked to bring awareness to domestic violence. She was learning American Sign Language and was teaching us words and phrases. She wanted to see change in this world.
But most of all, Alex was smart and funny and caring.
She is survived by her parents; Tom and Carolyn Black of New Palestine; and sisters, Sarah and Catherine “Cate” Black, also of New Palestine.
Friends may call 2-6 pm, Sunday, January 6, 2019 at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, 1780 West Main Street, Greenfield, Indiana 46140. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 6 pm at the funeral home with the Rev. Sandy McCloskey officiating. A private family burial will follow on Monday.
The family asks that you please consider a memorial contribution to Wolf Park, 4004 East 800 North, Battle Ground, Indiana 47920, where a redesigned wolf enclosure will be dedicated in her honor.
Online condolences may be shared at www.stillingerfamily.com."
