The Daffodil Circle
In Loving Memory of Karen Gilhooly, Anna Maas, Rowan Sanford, and Sierra Fetterolf
The Daffodil Circle is a giving circle created in memory of Dr. Karen Gilhooly — a beloved parent, physician, and champion of healthy living — and three young students, Anna Maas, Rowan Sanford, and Sierra Fetterolf, whose vibrant lives were tragically cut short in 2004. Their loss forever shaped our school community.
In the weeks following their passing, parents, teachers, and children came together in shared grief and quiet determination to honor their lives with beauty, care, and intention. Fabric flags were created and still hang in the hallways. A labyrinth was created, and the raking garden the girls helped build the summer before was used as a space for peace and remembrance. Daffodil bulbs were planted in the cold earth—a symbol of resilience, return, and hope, and a tradition we continue each year on Daffodil Day.
The following year, a group of women gathered for lunch and formed what was originally called the Karen Circle, to carry forward Karen’s legacy of wellness, compassion, and community care. Each member committed a $1,000 gift to The Children’s House, and together their giving has made a lasting impact on student life and learning.
In renaming this giving circle the Daffodil Circle, we more fully recognize not only Karen’s lasting influence, but also the enduring memory of Anna, Rowan, and Sierra. The daffodils that return each spring are a living reminder that love and memory continue to bloom, even after deep loss.
The Daffodil Circle continues today as a powerful act of remembrance and generosity — transforming grief into growth, and honoring the light these four lives brought to our community.
You live as long as you are remembered.
Your Gift Carries Their Legacy Forward
Each $1,000 gift to the Daffodil Circle helps bring to life projects that reflect the values and vitality of Karen, Anna, Rowan, and Sierra — leaving their signature on the life of the school.
Daffodil Circle funds support initiatives that go above and beyond the school’s operating budget — enriching the student experience in ways that are deeply aligned with our values but often not possible through regular funding.
Your giving supports:
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Wellness, both physical and mental
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Healthy living principles, rooted in care and connection
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Creative expression, including music, theater, and the visual arts
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Clubs and enrichment programs that foster joy, belonging, and exploration
These are the experiences that shape hearts as well as minds — and your gift helps ensure their legacy lives on through every child we serve.
Join the Daffodil Circle today and be part of a tradition of remembrance, generosity, and growth.
The 2025 Daffodil Circle members will meet for lunch the first week of November at noon. Please let Shanna Gonzalez know if you plan to be a part of the 2025 Daffodil Circle: shanna@traversechildrenshouse.org.