The Carbon County Community Foundation announce the establishment of the Mari Gruber Memorial Scholarship Fund, created by Mari’s friends and colleagues to honor her life, generosity, creativity, and lasting legacy.

Known affectionately as the “Butterfly Lady,” Gruber was the founder of Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary in Jim Thorpe, where she transformed a family building into a place of beauty, learning, and connection. Through the sanctuary, she shared her love of butterflies and the natural world with children, families, schools, libraries, and community members.

Gruber believed in the interconnectedness of all things, the importance of science, and the responsibility to care for the earth and one another. She was also an artist, creator, teacher, and generous friend who believed in giving people opportunities, encouraging them to try new things, and making the world a more beautiful and compassionate place.

Michele Franks and Lisa Rosenberger worked alongside Gruber at the sanctuary where they had opportunities to grow and become part of a family. The scholarship is one way they hope to continue the spirit of encouragement and possibility that Gruber shared with so many people.

“Mari had an incredible ability to bring people together,” said Michele Franks. “She welcomed everyone, shared her knowledge generously, and found joy in the beauty and wonder of the world around her. She made people feel like they belonged, and those of us who knew her carry that with us.”

The Mari Gruber Memorial Scholarship will provide at least $500 annually to a graduating high school senior who resides within the Jim Thorpe Area School District and plans to pursue postsecondary education in environmental studies, science, nature, conservation, or a related field. The scholarship seeks to support students who demonstrate academic achievement, community involvement, curiosity, enthusiasm, and a genuine interest in the natural world.

“We wanted to create something that would carry Mari’s spirit forward,” said Lisa Rosenberger. “She believed in helping people grow, encouraging curiosity, and giving people the opportunity to make a difference. This scholarship allows us to do that in her memory.”

The new scholarship was announced at a butterfly release on Sept. 27 at Christ Lutheran Church in Jim Thorpe. Friends and community members gathered to remember Gruber and celebrate her life and the many ways she touched the people around her. Donations made in connection with the butterfly release were directed to the new scholarship fund.

The butterfly release is intended to become an annual tradition. Gruber’s friends plan to gather around her birthday each year to celebrate her memory and continue raising funds to support the scholarship.

Community members are invited to donate to the scholarship fund at any time in Gruber’s memory and to help it grow into a permanent endowment fund. While the inaugural scholarship will focus on science and nature, her friends hope that as the fund grows, it may eventually also support students pursuing the arts or related fields — another way to honor her creativity and love of beauty.

Scholarship applications will be available through the Carbon County Community Foundation beginning in early January. For more information, visit https://cccfoundpa.org/mari-gruber-memorial-scholarship-fund/.