I am saddened to have learned just minutes before, that a superb authority on northeastern Orchids, Ephemerals and Botany has passed away, yesterday, March 13, 2020.
When I first shared messages with Barbara Ann, on Facebook, she went by the moniker MonarchMama. Would you have adopted that marquee name? She did, and she loved what it told of her: She was fully 100% dedicated to nurturing the development and health of Monarch butterflies.
She introduced me to many species, and her knowledge, patience and total glee when she would find extraordinary orchids in the field or on her own land in Frewsburg, New York cannot soon be forgotten.
My Condolences to her husband Sig Case.
Should her grandchild ever see this, he must know that she loved Kole, totally.
Jeff
Winged Beauty Butterflies 
What a beautiful tribute. Saddened at the loss also.
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Thank you, everyone for your tributes to Barb. She was a special person and knew so much about plants, natives and weeds. She’d holler, if you can believe she could holler, “Watch out! No, don’t pull that! It’s not a weed! My best buddy had to watch me every minute so I wouldn’t pull something I shouldn’t or step on something new coming up. She got really good at keeping tabs on me and I tried to ask first before pulling/digging things up.
We made a pretty good team. Barb & I worked together in the original butterfly garden, then when it was moved up on the hill several years ago. She designed it and I did the ground work for her, as she was unable. It was Barbara Ann’s GREAT idea to re-purpose an OUTHOUSE which is now used as the garden/tool shed. The tales about that adventure will be told if you ask me. She shared her knowledge of nature with everyone she met, young and old. She was all smiles when my mother at age 94, held a monarch on her hand for the first time!
As most of you know, Barb’s Memorial service was postponed due to the VIRUS. It will happen at a future date to be determined. In the meantime, Sig has asked me to accept donations for a butterfly garden bench and plaque to be placed near the butterfly garden at Audubon Community Nature Center. Anyone who wishes to donate to her memorial may send a check to me: Elaine Crossley, 630 Sandberg Road, Frewsburg, NY 14738. Please be sure to include a return snail mail address so that I can properly thank you. Any extra funds will be donated to a charity of Sig’s choosing. We are hopeful the bench and plaque can be dedicated some time in July and it, of course, will include a release of several monarch butterflies in her honor.
In Loving Memory of my BFF, Barb,
Elaine
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Thank you for this wonderful acknowledgement of my sister-in-law. She truely loved her outdoors experiences & her butterflies. Jim & Rhea Case
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