Susan Volkmann Cable

A passionate advocate for Virginia’s natural land and cultural resources for over forty years, Susan V. Cable departed her earthly life on March 16, 2023.

Susan is survived by her husband and partner of 47 years, Louis A. Cable; twin sister, Caryl Carothers; son, Charles A. Allen II; stepchildren, Jennifer A. Cable and Christopher L. Cable; grandson, Declan Perrot; three nephews; a grand-nephew; and three grand-nieces. In addition to her family, Susan leaves behind many devoted friends and colleagues who will miss her grace and leadership.

Born to parents Enid Bryant and Elmer Volkmann in Oak Park, Illinois, the family moved from Elmhurst, Illinois to California in 1948. Susan graduated with honors from the University of California Los Angeles with a B.A. in English. In 1962, she came to Virginia with her son and former husband and began her love affair with the land. She continued graduate studies in Environmental and Urban Planning at the University of Virginia and earned a Masters of Public Administration from George Mason University.

For 25 years, Susan developed and led programs with the Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia, first as a volunteer coordinator and district naturalist, then as a Senior Planner, overseeing the development and adoption of a comprehensive strategic plan for the 16,000 acre park system in Fairfax County, VA.

In 1998, she founded the Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy, a non-profit land trust in Madison and Greene Counties, VA, serving as Executive Director and Director of Conservation Policy. She has been a consultant to the U.S. National Park Service, the U.S. Department of the Interior, Chairman of the Conservation Roundtable of Washington, D.C. and Board member of many other organizations.

Susan worked to create and support the Virginia United Land Trusts (VaULT) culminating in the establishment of the Heritage Virginia Strategic Plan. An early Fellow of the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, she helped guide the organization until her death and was a recipient of its Gerald P. McCarthy Lifetime Achievement Award for Environmental Conflict.

In February 2023, the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates passed a resolution commending Susan “for more than 35 years of contributions to the protection of the Commonwealth’s natural and historical resources”. Susan served the Commonwealth of Virginia Moss Commission with Senators Creigh Deeds and Emmett Hanger regarding the future of the commonwealth’s environment prior to Y2k.

With partner, Louis Cable, she was co-owner of Dulaney Hollow at Old Rag Mountain Inn & Antiques for over twenty-five years, welcoming national and international guests and caring for six precious dogs over time, especially her much-loved Bleu.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 27, 2023 at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Scottsville, VA.

Contribution in Susan’s memory may be made to Virginia United Land Trusts (VaULT) at Richmond, VA; Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute, Charlottesville, VA; The Nature Conservancy of Virginia, The Center for Cultural Vibrancy, Charlottesville, VA; Virginia Humanities- University of Virginia or Hospice of the Piedmont in Charlottesville.

Family and friends may share memories and photos at Thackerbrothers.com 

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