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In memory of Jody

May 4, 2023 by Katelyn -

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Heartfelt thanks to Jen Wallace for sponsoring this day of sanctuary “in memory of Jody, a beautiful soul.”

Forever in our hearts and lives, Jo…

Jamie, Missy, Jody and Foxie:

Jody and Foxie:

Jody and Negra:

Jody and Annie:

Burrito and Jody:

Jody, Foxie and Annie:

Missy and Jody:

15 Comments

  1. Avatar Paul Cavanaugh on May 4, 2023 at 8:01 am

    Better not to cry but to feel like we have all become better people from knowing her. We will meet again – can’t wait@



    • Avatar Paul Cavanaugh on May 4, 2023 at 9:03 am

      How are the rest of the chimpanzee’s What do you think they feel?



      • Avatar Maureen on May 4, 2023 at 1:33 pm

        Paul, I had the same question. So I asked a friend who’s an animal communicator to check in with them. (I won’t do it again with the chimps, as I fear it may have been an intrusion.) They said Jody was their mother, grandmother, wise one; that they miss her, that they mourn her in their own way.



        • Avatar Paul Cavanaugh on May 5, 2023 at 11:40 am

          Thanks. it is hard to believe that someone so gentle is gone – but not gone. Better to be thankful for knowing such a soul. Jody has not changed – her body has – that’s all. You will meet again.



      • Avatar Katelyn on May 4, 2023 at 3:08 pm

        Hi Paul,
        Thank you for your questions about Jody’s family. We would never speak with certainty for the chimpanzees in regard to what their thoughts and feelings might be, though of course we all wish we knew for certain. Knowing them, knowing the immensely important role Jody played in her group, and having had the profound privilege to witness and be part of their time saying goodbye to her, I think it’s safe to say they are clearly grieving in their own ways (and in some ways very similar to us), while finding moments of joy and comfort in their daily routines, with one another, and with their caregivers. They are a tight knit group and they’ve been together for many, many years. Chimpanzees are incredibly resilient. And Jody’s absence is palpable for us all.



  2. Avatar Linda C on May 4, 2023 at 8:02 am

    Thank you, Jen.
    And thanks, Katelyn, for posting some photos I’d as yet not seen. Her tight little closed mouth contrasted with that amazing droopy lip in her happy/play face always surprised me.



  3. Avatar Tobin on May 4, 2023 at 8:29 am

    Just a couple of recommendations as we look back at Jody’s life amongst her Sanctuary friends:. The video from 2.6.2018 (“Adventure Interrupted”) and the photo-narrative from 11.5.2018 (“The Never-ending Pumpkin”). You’ll see…



    • Avatar Rebecca Babcock on May 4, 2023 at 10:48 am

      Thank You, Tobin. Your reccommendations were well worth watching. I chuckled at Our Miss Jody doing the backward walk of every elementary school teacher I have ever seen getting her class to come off the playground and follow her back into the school building.



  4. Avatar Gaynell on May 4, 2023 at 8:48 am

    Thank you, Jen. Those beautiful Jody eyes are shining down on our crying faces. And heartful thanks to all at CSNW for making her life the best chimp life for all those years.



  5. Avatar Sandie Allaway on May 4, 2023 at 8:59 am

    Thank you, Jen for this day and these pictures. My heart and tears just well up right now at any picture or narrative. What a beautiful soul she was. ?In our hearts always Jody.



  6. Avatar Kathleen on May 4, 2023 at 9:25 am

    Many thanks, Jen, for giving us another opportunity to reflect on all the beauty and laughter Jody brought into the little world of CSNW. I will miss her droopy lip!

    I hope the lilacs explode with blossoms for Jody’s upcoming birthday so the chimps can celebrate in every bite. (I remember last years blooms were late so I’m hoping we see flowers this year!)

    Laughing over the last photos.



  7. Avatar Don on May 4, 2023 at 9:59 am

    Thank you, Jen. Thank you CSNW, for posting this tribute and these wonderful photos. Jody will live on forever…her friends, ape and human ….can never forget her personality, her being, her Jody-ness. I am so grateful she lived at the Sanctuary for so many years. Jody, rest in peace now, my friend. You will always – ALWAYS – be with us.



  8. Avatar Patricia Robbins on May 4, 2023 at 1:22 pm

    It has taken the devastating loss of dear Jody to get me to add a comment after years of following the sanctuary via FB and the Blog. I have been weeping with all of you and share everyone’s (caregive’rs, followe’rs, and of course chimp’s) grief. As someone else commented, I too have been amazed at my own sadness, given that I knew her only from afar, through you. Thank you for these pictures, which confirm that no one enjoyed her sanctuary years more than lovely Jody.



  9. Avatar CeeCee on May 4, 2023 at 2:25 pm

    Thank you Jen, What a great idea to sponsor this day for Jody.
    I love these picture’s, all of them sweet, she was so loved by her family.:revolving_hearts:



  10. Avatar Peter Moody on May 5, 2023 at 3:02 pm

    Requiescat in Pace, Jody Chimpanzee.



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