Celebration of Life April 7 for Biological Sciences' Nicole Black

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Fulbright College mourns deeply the loss of Nicole Black, a beloved administrative team member of its Department of Biological Sciences and the wife of Aimee Black, a dear and valued member of the college's IT Services team. 

"We extend our warmest sympathies and love to Aimee and all of her and Nicole's family and friends," said Kathryn Sloan, interim dean of Fulbright College. "Nicole will be incredibly missed by us all."

Friends and colleagues are invited to gather in her memory to celebrate Black's life and positive impact from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 7, at the Siloam Springs Community Building, 110 N. Mount Olive St. in Siloam Springs.

As part of the celebration, attendees are invited to join in on a potluck lunch and to bring a side dish, beverages or desserts to share. Sandwiches and water will be provided.

Nicole Barbara Black was born June 16, 1986, in Palmerston North, New Zealand, and spent her life on the North Island of New Zealand working as an aged caregiver before moving to the United States and Arkansas in 2018.

Black enjoyed learning new skills and was a compassionate person with an amazing love for her family. She also had a lifelong love of movies, crafting and reading, and added new interests of hiking and going to flea markets after moving to the United States.

Black passed away Feb. 21, 2024, at the age of 37. She is survived by wife, Aimee Black, of Siloam Springs; mother, Julie Barr, and brother, Aaron Bell of Inglewood, New Zealand; sister, Kylie (Jeremy) Bason, of New Plymouth, New Zealand; aunts Kathryn Moynihan and Allison Swanston of Wanganui, New Zealand; sister-in-laws Mindy Holmes of Baldwin City, Kansas, and Sheri (Tom) Holmes of Lawrence, Kansas; cousins Ethan Moynihan and Grey Swanston of Wanganui, New Zealand; stepchildren Josh (Trisha) Black of Concordia, Kansas, Amber (Chance) Black of Lawrence, Kansas, Aubrey (Aaron) Collins of Baldwin City, Kansas, Ariel (Brandon) Black of Wellsville, Kansas, and Akoda Black of Siloam Springs; nephews Beric, Jacob, Wyatt, Albie and Fin Bason of New Zealand and Drake and Wesley Martin of Kansas; grandchildren MacKenna, Hunter, Aralynne, HarLynn, Marleigh, Henry, Corb, Briar and Tyler of Kansas; special auntie, Debbie Morris; lifelong friends MorTisha Leigh (Richard) Pepper and Erica Perry; and the best service dog, Ruby.

Black is proceeded in death by beloved son, Bradley Aaron Bell; Nana Audrey Kernohan; Nana Maureen Swanston; Papa Ross Swanston; and Mary and Alan Holmes.

"Nicole will be deeply missed, and we hope all will find some joy in reading about her life and how loved and amazing she was," said Teresa Waddell, senior director of IT Services for Fulbright College. "I will never forget her sense of humor. She was always such a calming person to be around, and I never saw her without a smile."

Jan Warren, office manager and assistant to the chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, agreed, adding that, “Nicole was known as the ‘Face of Biological Sciences.’”

“She was the first smile seen as people came into the office asking for help,” Warren added. “Many in the department who knew Nicole said she was an incredibly valued asset to the department, and she will be profoundly missed.” 

Michelle Evans-White, chair of the department, also said its faculty, staff and students were always “very appreciative of Nicole’s willingness to help. She was a sweet spirit and will be missed by all in the Department of Biological Sciences.”

To leave condolences or share a memory of Black, please visit the Wasson Funeral Home online guest book.

In lieu of flowers, Black's family is accepting donations in her memory at the April 7 Celebration of Life.