In memory of Jody
April 30, 2024 by Katelyn -
It is incomprehensible that today marks one year since Jody passed away. Our heartfelt thanks to long-time supporter of the sanctuary, Tobin, who has graciously sponsored this day of sanctuary in her memory.
“In memory of our beloved Jody; in gratitude for her life, spirit, and for all those who love and cared for her.”
Jody, forever in our hearts and lives, forever missed. By none more so than her chimpanzee family. We love you always, Jo.
Jody, Foxie and Annie:
Jody and Annie:
Burrito and Jody pretzel:
Jody, Foxie and a Strawberry Shortcake friend:
Jody, Foxie and Jamie:
Missy and Jody:
Negra and Jody:
Jody, Missy, Foxie and Annie:
27 Comments
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It’s nice to see pictures of Jody with every one of her family members. She is missed by all of us!
It is hard to believe it has been a year. Jody is so deeply missed and will be forever in our hearts. I think she was there to welcome Nutmeg too. Thank you Tobin for this loving tribute. Love the Negra and Jody picture. Hugs to all.
I’m astonished that it’s been a full year since Jody’s passing. Thank you for sharing that with us, as hard as it was. I must have watched the video of her family learning of her loss, and mourning her, a hundred times. She was a force of nature, and I can only imagine what a shock you went through. Jody’s memory lives on, thanks to the hard work you do. Holding you all in my heart.
But a gentle force. very gentle.
Beautiful photos to remember dear Jody. Thankyou Tobin for sponsoring this day of heartwarming reflection and rememberance.
R.I.P. Jody it was a very sad day learning of her death one year ago.
Tobin, thank you for bringing us all such lovely memories.
Thank you, Tobin.
To me, it actually seems longer. Maybe bc several times a day, I think of them, and think of Jo.
Thank you for the memories of my favorite, beautiful, silly, wonderful chimpanzee! I’m crying and smiling at the same time as I remember her. I have her picture on my office wall, so I still feel like I’m connected to her daily. It’s hard for us here, with pictures and videos of her, but it must be so much harder for those who saw her in person, and talked to her daily. My heart goes out to all the caregivers, and others who loved her.
Thank you for sharing this loving remembrance of words and pictures of Jody. Been thinking of her today. ?
Incomprehensible, yes. A long year passed. Oh that face! Delighted to see these photos of Jody, wasn’t she simply brilliantly beautiful and kind?! Jody. Forever.
Thank you Tobin.
As I read througtsh y the messages that are posted here, I am reminded of where I was on Sunday, April 39, 2023. In late afternoon, I was inside a large granite edifice, topped by a copper-green dome, that sits aperched on a hill overlooking downtown St. Paul. Within those walls, I heard someone recite a narrative about.an agrarian herder. “The sheep hear the sound of my voice and follow after me, ” the text read. I have many sheep which are not of this flock; these, too, I must gather.”
Afterwards, I repaired to the back of the building, near a statue of a woman holding her infant. I lit a candle, and thought of a friend whose birthday fell that day. I also thought of another friend, Lydia, who is struggling with cancer. And, through no effort of my own, I sensed a voice saying the name of “Jody.”
I exited the building and hopped aboard a bus that transported across the river to my living quarters in South Minneapolis. Returning home, I accessed the Sanctuary website. “Keep Jody in your thoughts,” read the caption. Through the night I kept vigil. The following morning, I read the news about an agrarian herder and den mother.
Since childhood, it has been my practice to grieve in private. A year ago, I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of sympathy from near and far for someone we loved. As someone wrote, in her tradition it is the practice to light a candle in the anniversary of the death of someone who is loved, and to say “May her Memory be a blessing,”. However each of us grieves on this anniversary, I think that all of us who love and treasure Jody are blessed by our memories of her beautifully expressive face, her even more beautiful heart, and her love and devotion for those rescued with her from death into life.
I wish I could hug you today Tobin.
So many have written so eloquently up above. I wish I had that skill. So here I will just say ditto all of those
I don’t think I’ve ever seen that picture of Jody and Missy with the lavender flowers growing on Youngs hill. It is such a precious picture. And I think of how Missy is so drawn to Jody’s resting place.
It means so much to me to remember Jody with all of you. I feel her loss deeply to this day. She was such a gentle soul and such a presence in my life. I celebrate her beautiful life and spirit. Thank you Jody for all that you continue to give to us all. Much love to you sweet girl…
Thankyou, Tobin, for sponsoring this very special day. Sweet unforgettable Jody. As I read everyone’s messages on this blog I picture all of us in a circle up on Young’s Hill holding hands and holding Jody in our thoughts, hearts and prayers. In memory of Jody.
I miss Jody so much, She has left a hole in my heart.
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures of her, I really love the one with Negra, it looks like they are sharing a good joke.
Thank you Tobin for sponsoring this meaningful day.:revolving_hearts:
Every time I see Jody, My Heart Sinks at First but I know she had a Loving Family of Humans and Chimps and Plenty of Land to Roam…and Love….can it get any Better…Peace in Knowing she is Now a Free Spirit….We Love You Jody…and Yes a Blessing Tobin…:hugging:So Sweet to Sponsor this Beautiful Day and What Lovely Pictures:rose::rose::bouquet::sunflower:
Thank you for sponsoring today with a lovely tribute to wonderful Jody, Tobin.
I wish I could have known her while she was still here. I know how difficult it is when a big presence like Jody’s leaves this physical world. Jody’s spirit and her love is eternal and I know she keeps a close eye on her family at CSNW. After everything she went through, Jody’s enduring love and loyalty towards her family as well as her motherly spirit are expressions of such deep beauty. The world may have been ugly to her for so much of her life, but Jody was and still is truly a beautiful soul.
My deepest gratitude to CSNW and to Tobin for giving us all a space to remember our dear Jody today. I have felt the loss of her strongly at times throughout the year, for reasons I can’t explain. In those times I have been isolated with my feelings of grief and unable to share with others near me how I was missing a chimp-lady clear out in Washington that I had never met. To have this group of CSNW “friends and family” express the love and loss of Jody, is healing and so very, very honoring of her , her home and the gifts she innately shared. I miss you , Lilac Girl, May Your Memory Be Eternal.
Well said, Robin
Tobin…………Candle Glimmering for Jody…incomprehensible…
No Lilac Emoji!!!!!!:fearful:
Thank you, Tobin for caring and sharing.
Thank you so much Tobin for sponsoring this very special anniversary. Not a day goes by without me thinking of this beautiful girl and our loss, but also of the happy memories she left us with.
A whole year has pased by, hard to comprehend.
Thank you Tobin for your kind gift.
And happy “very special” birthday to you Diana for it is now forever linked to Jody’s passing.
A whole year has pased by, hard to comprehend really…
Thank you Tobin for your kind gift.
And happy “very special” birthday to you Diana for it is now forever linked to Jody’s passing.
It is hard to believe it’s been a year. The heartache is still real. Bless you all :heart::heart:
Dear beautiful Jody. Thank-you Tobin.