February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023
Alexa arrived at OSU in 2017 and immediately started teaching us about the health and ecology of bottlenose dolphins in California. Her passion and curiosity shined. She was always so eager to learn, teach and inform marine conservation.
But she gave us so much more than just her academic and professional achievements. She gave us immense joy, laughter, wisdom, wit, and beauty by helping us to stop and enjoy the brilliance of the world that she saw everywhere.
Over the last week I have spent a lot of time looking at many photos from Alexa’s life and reading stories about her adventures. I see now that she provided a shoulder for so many people to lean on, in good times and hard times.
This is why many of us feel so unstable now without Alexa in our lives.
Alexa was our confidant when we needed to vent.
Alexa was our travel buddy on adventures around the world, on land and at sea. Alexa had already traveled to every continent on the planet.
Alexa gave us so much laughter, as she found humor and happiness everywhere, and then shared it openly with everyone.
Alexa was the support we needed in hard times, always helping us to see the bright side during challenging times.
Alexa was a sailor that relished experiencing the power and beauty of the ocean.
Alexa loved all animals, instinctively bonding with so many different species, and caring for so many.
Alexa jumped at any chance for fun – weather it was innertube water polo, hikes in the woods, walks on the beach, dinners and board games. She was all-in for anything that involved smiles, laughter, or adventure.
Alexa formed connections with people everywhere, and made us feel welcomed, like we belonged in life, and mattered to the world.
Alexa was our dancing partner. Anytime. Any song.
Alexa lived her life without regret. Absorbing every bit of joy and beauty she could get from every experience.
Having Alexa in our lives was a gift. She brought light, color and laughter wherever she went. I am so lucky to have known Alexa, and to have basked in her brightness.
I miss her so much. I will do my best to honor Alexa’s life by living with her essence of laughter, kindness, adventure, and lots of dancing.
-Leigh Torres, Alexa's PhD supervisor in the GEMM Lab at OSU. I spoke these words at Alexa's memorial one week after she passed away.
But she gave us so much more than just her academic and professional achievements. She gave us immense joy, laughter, wisdom, wit, and beauty by helping us to stop and enjoy the brilliance of the world that she saw everywhere.
Over the last week I have spent a lot of time looking at many photos from Alexa’s life and reading stories about her adventures. I see now that she provided a shoulder for so many people to lean on, in good times and hard times.
This is why many of us feel so unstable now without Alexa in our lives.
Alexa was our confidant when we needed to vent.
Alexa was our travel buddy on adventures around the world, on land and at sea. Alexa had already traveled to every continent on the planet.
Alexa gave us so much laughter, as she found humor and happiness everywhere, and then shared it openly with everyone.
Alexa was the support we needed in hard times, always helping us to see the bright side during challenging times.
Alexa was a sailor that relished experiencing the power and beauty of the ocean.
Alexa loved all animals, instinctively bonding with so many different species, and caring for so many.
Alexa jumped at any chance for fun – weather it was innertube water polo, hikes in the woods, walks on the beach, dinners and board games. She was all-in for anything that involved smiles, laughter, or adventure.
Alexa formed connections with people everywhere, and made us feel welcomed, like we belonged in life, and mattered to the world.
Alexa was our dancing partner. Anytime. Any song.
Alexa lived her life without regret. Absorbing every bit of joy and beauty she could get from every experience.
Having Alexa in our lives was a gift. She brought light, color and laughter wherever she went. I am so lucky to have known Alexa, and to have basked in her brightness.
I miss her so much. I will do my best to honor Alexa’s life by living with her essence of laughter, kindness, adventure, and lots of dancing.
-Leigh Torres, Alexa's PhD supervisor in the GEMM Lab at OSU. I spoke these words at Alexa's memorial one week after she passed away.