The NYCHA Journal

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group of people standing near a small tree
NYCHA Residents Top Story 

Memorial Tree Planting at Pink Houses in Remembrance of Caroline Thunder 

LaToya

In June, a small group of family, farm, and community members gathered at Pink Houses Farm to plant a memorial tree in honor long-time Pink Houses resident and master gardener Caroline Thunder, who passed away on April 7, 2023.  

Ms. Thunder’s family, community members, and farm staff celebrated the life and legacy of Ms. Thunder.

Ms. Thunder was a community legend at Pink Houses and well-known among NYCHA’s gardeners. For many years she won awards at NYCHA’s annual Garden & Greening Awards; in 2016 she received a lifetime achievement award. 

“When we think about Ms. Thunder, we think about the farm,” said Pink Houses Farm Manager Kelly Guevara. Ms. Guevara began working at the farm in 2018 and said Ms. Thunder welcomed her with open arms. 

woman holding plaque
Ms. Thunder won a Lifetime Achievement Award at NYCHA’s Citywide Garden Competition Awards Ceremony in 2016.
Ms. Thunder at Pink Houses Farm.
woman looking at greens at an urban farm
Ms. Thunder at Pink Houses Farm.

Pink Houses Farm provides fresh produce for distribution to Pink Houses residents. Ms. Thunder advocated for a community farm at the development and under her leadership and guidance, along with the other members of the development’s resident green committee, the farm opened in 2015.  

“When the community farm really came to fruition, I feel like it was Ms. T’s pride,” Ms. Guevara said. “When we were doing crop planning for the farm, Ms. T and the other farm members would help. She’d help figure out which crops were the best and she had an idea of what the community wanted because she had surveyed them prior to the farm opening. Ms. T also started the free lunch program out of her office many years ago. So many folks in the community in their 30s have fond memories of Ms. T, she made sure they were eating in the summertime. Even before the garden started, Ms. T had a passion for food and for feeding people. I loved that about Ms. T; it was so important to her.” 

The farm is a partnership between the Pink Houses Resident Green Committee and East New York Farms! (ENY Farms is a project of the United Community Centers in partnership with residents). Ms. Thunder’s memorial tree is planted in an area of the farm that the East New York Farms! team hopes to turn into a rest and relaxation area and to host annual Thunder Day, where community members can gather to celebrate Ms. Thunder’s life and work. 

Have a question about resident gardening at NYCHA? Email gardens@nycha.nyc.gov.