Volume 27 Issue 4, Fall 2022

Who knows how much milkweed has been planted in Loudoun County and beyond thanks to Caroline Kuhfahl? Her willingness to share seeds was as boundless as her passion for teaching others how to help endangered Monarch butterflies. Caroline, a longtime Loudoun Wildlife volunteer, passed away in August after a courageous battle with lymphoma. Survivors include her husband, Bob, their daughter, and their two sons. Here are excerpts from memories of Caroline, shared by just a few people she touched through her work on behalf of the Monarchs:

“I met Caroline at a large Ashburn Farm Monarch butterfly event around 2016. … At the time, my seemingly small encounter with her centered around our beloved Monarchs. In the long term, that encounter did launch me into a new direction into nature for the rest of my life. I’m sure she had that effect on everyone she met. Her passion for nature and the Monarchs spread like wildfire.” – BJ Lecrone

Caroline Kuhfahl poses as her favorite butterfly.
Photo courtesy of Bob Kuhfahl

“I remember Caroline with butterfly wings! Oh, the gusto that she shared [with] the love of Monarchs! I remember doing the caterpillar adoption days with her … [and] that big release of over 100 Monarchs at Oatlands. … Caroline was always there to help: The huge milkweed sales. The waystation plantings. The charge she led to create Monarch waystations around her community. The Easter Egg Roll at the White House [in 2015]. Wow. We talked to 20,000 people that day, and boy, were we tired! But she shared her love of Monarchs, and the sparks shined in the eyes of those she touched.” – Nicole Sudduth

“When one thinks of Monarchs, one also thinks of Caroline. She led the charge in Ashburn for putting in one of the first Monarch waystations. The next spring, she came to me to ask how to tell the pollinator plants from the invasives in the waystation — always delving deeper into what needed to be done to make the Monarch waystation better. … During her battle with cancer, she continued her joy of all things Monarch and kept everyone up to date with what was happening in the Monarch world in Texas.” – Ann Garvey

“Caroline introduced me to Monarchs, taught me to recognize (and protect!) milkweed, and, as my former co-worker, brought a ray of good cheer to my days.” – Hilary Jensen Rice Remembering Caroline Kuhfahl “We first met Caroline in her role as an educator at Hutchison  Farm Elementary School in South Riding, where she was Carter’s technology teacher. … Caroline cheered Carter on as he established a Monarch Waystation Garden at the school in third grade and began serving conservation efforts with Monarch Watch. From there, Carter and Caroline joined efforts and planted, presented, and educated people together for three years, everywhere from Loudoun County to the White House. Her life force was one of love, love, love. We envision her now with wings, and we will never forget her.” – Sarah & Carter Steadman

“I remember her being so happy and positive all the time. We traded milkweed seeds, and I dropped off many milkweed seeds so she could spread her love for the Monarchs. She will be missed.” – Doreen Varblow

“The morning after I learned the sad news about Caroline, I walked out my back door and a Monarch was sitting on my porch drying his wings. Of course, I thought of Caroline. … Caroline and the work she did to help preserve the Monarchs will continue to live on in all who knew her, including in me and in my granddaughters.” – Pat Rountree

“We’ve lost one of our Monarch advocates, Caroline Kuhfahl, who loved all living things [and] had a never-ending passion for nature. … We will miss her and have to continue to advocate in her honor.” – Janice Scott Fish

“This wonderful woman helped so many people in so many ways with rearing Monarchs, and planting native flowers and plants. Her calm, helpful and supportive words and deeds will be so deeply missed.” – Jill Joyce

“I met Caroline a couple of years ago through a native plant group, and she generously shared her plants with me and gave me a tour of her lovely Ashburn garden. I will remember her joy in sharing her love of Monarchs.” – Kristin Myzie

“Caroline was a wonderful person, and left a terrific legacy of sharing her love for Monarchs. She will be really missed.” – Barbara DeRosa-Joynt

“Caroline was an amazing advocate and such a kind, sharing person for everyone new to raising Monarchs. She was such a bright light here in Ashburn. I hope we can work to do something in her honor to remember the mark she made locally.” – Jennifer Smirnof