This weekend, we will lay Jody to rest at the sanctuary, her home for the last fifteen years. Now, she will forever be with her chimpanzee family (Annie, Burrito, Foxie, Jamie, Missy, and Negra). It brings us humans great comfort to know she will be physically here with us, even though she is gone. If you missed J.B.’s blog post about Jody’s departure, I will link it here.
The memory of Jody is everywhere.
When I pass by Front Rooms 2 and 3, I am reminded of her naps in those rooms. Sometimes, she would graciously get up and gather her blankets, as she knew we were hoping to clean the front rooms next. When I serve cherry tomatoes to her group, I am reminded of how Jody popped each one with her front teeth and then ate it. Sometimes, the juice would squirt in various directions and it made me laugh every time. When I look at Young’s Hill, I am reminded of seeing her foraging with her group, collecting all types of foods. She would do this certain walk that only Jody could do, when she was exceptionally proud of herself. When I look at lilacs, I see Jody. Since Jody has been gone, I’ve noticed myself taking in my surroundings more, looking for the beauty in things around me. I know that may sound bizarre that it took Jody’s death to make me do this, but when I see something extra beautiful, like a beautiful tree in full bloom, I think to myself, “Jody would love that”.
Today, some beautiful edible flowers that Kelsi ordered arrived and we knew we had to spread them out for Jody’s family. Nobody loved flowers as much as Jody. We spread out the flowers in the Greenhouse, as well as filled the pools with diluted Gatorade and floating orchids.
Annie
Jamie
Negra (L) and Foxie (R)
Burrito
Annie
Burrito
Burrito and Jamie
Foxie (L), Burrito (center), and Missy (R)
Negra
Negra with one of Foxie’s dolls in her pelvic pocket
Burrito and volunteer Krissy playing
Foxie
We love and miss you, Jo!
A lot to handle for your first year or so, Jenna.
And yet, you’ve got those nice memories.
Thanks for sharing the pics of the “un-ceremony”. It looks like they enjoyed Jo’s flowers.
It is nice, even if it’s the only way left to do so, that Jojo will be remembered on the weekend of what would have been her 48th birthday.
REST IN PEACE, JODY. You will NEVER be forgotten.
It’s good to have you back home where you have always belonged. Please keep a close watch over your chimp family and loving caregivers.
It makes me so happy to know Jody is back and will be laid to rest where she belongs.
Plant those Beautiful Lilacs around her resting place…..:hugging:…….We Love You Jody
Yes Marcie……………..BACK HOME WHERE SHE BELONGS AND IS LOVED:heartpulse:
Lovely idea! It reminds me of a poem by Gabriela Mistral, “La maestra rural”. It’s about a teacher who’s sent to the remote countryside to teach, to a place where she isn’t really understood or appreciated. But she’s a humble, beautiful-on-the-inside person. And when she dies, the caretaker at the cemetery swears that the roses that grow on her grave smell the sweetest of any there. (can’t find the poem in English)
Awwwww….So :rose::tulip::sunflower::bouquet:Touching
God-bless everyone at and envolved with the Sanctuary. what a wonderful thing to do today and for everything everyone did for Jody in her hours of need. it is wonderful that she will be able to be laid to rest at the Sanctuary.
many thanks. you are all wonderful people. 🙂
Thanks for this lovely tribute today. I loved seeing Strawberry Shortcake in the midst of one of the tables. I’m sure Jody would have enjoyed every minute of this special time with flowers and flavored water and her family. I thought I had cried my last but the poignancy of this affirmation for Jody combined with the new group beginning their new outdoor lives are just so moving. I so appreciate the ongoing thoughtfulness, creativity and care that goes into making the chimps’ lives as enjoyable, peaceful and meaningful as possible — and that goes for this entire community!
Such a lovely tribute to dear Jody. I miss her so much. She will always be in our hearts. Thank you for the beautiful pictures and for letting us know that Jody will be laid to rest at the Sanctuary. We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs and love to all
We will all see lilacs and other flowers with new significance… one tiny piece of Jody amongst many others that will bring her along with us for the rest of our lives and beyond. You are more than well-loved Jody – you are an icon.
It just so happens that I will be in Roslyn and Cle Elum tomorrow so I will I will be thinking of the chimps, especially Jody. I am so happy she will be back home.
How lovely that she can rest in peace in the home she blossomed in among lilacs, her chimp family and all of you at CSNW who loved her and enriched her life. Thank you for sharing photos of everyone at her Celebration of Life.
LOL Once I was at a big retirement party and bit into a cherry tomato that squirted :speak_no_evil:all over the tie of the big honcho who was retiring. Thankfully he and all the others just laughed. I on the other hand was MORTIFIED. :see_no_evil:I was only about 25 yrs old. Lesson Learned!
It’s wonderful Jody will lie at the sanctuary, especially this very weekend of her honorary birthday, Mother’s Day. my thoughts and heart will be with you all weekend, and always.
It will be such a comfort to know that Jody is home. it will bring a sense of peace and help with the grieving process. Her spirit will live on. May she rest forever among the lilacs and the pant hoots of the Cle Elum 6.
I know I speak for many when I say our hearts will be with all of you for what will be a difficult weekend. Jody belongs at the sanctuary, her home, where she was loved and cared for, and shared friendships with so many. May all of you find peace in your hearts for Jody, knowing how each of you made her life indescribably better. You all gave her a life of love, trust, laughter, fun and full of new experiences. Bless you all.
When Jody passed, I think there was a mention in one of the blogs about her being a breeding female (such a hideous concept). I looked at the biography of Jody in the Our Family section and then went to Save the Chimps to read up on those of her children who found sanctuary there, one of whom is a half sibling to Burrito. The bios are very difficult to read, but necessary for me to further understand the pain Jody, in particular, must have suffered. It made me all the more thankful for the work CSNW and the other sancuaries do and the homes they provide for the survivors. Other primates are still being used in so-called research. When will “we” learn? I am so thankful for the life CSNW gave Jody after her rescue. She was truly a special being.
Sometimes my head can’t translate whats in my heart. ? May you all take peace from each other this weekend. Jody is home with those who loved her. Rest in bliss beautiful girl. :two_hearts:
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I am so glad that Jody will find her rest on top of the hill surrounded by lilacs and the sounds of her family, having a great time on Youngs Hill.
Please spread some flowers on her when she is in her grave from her blogfamily.
And I send love to you all.
RIP dear Jody. How blessed you all are to have had the chance to know her and care for her. You will carry her forever in your hearts. Beautiful post… :rose::hibiscus:
i never met you Jodie but I will try to become like you from seeing how kind you were. until we meet again I miss you.
“The memory of Jody is everywhere.”
Dear Jenna, I know exactly what you mean. I have felt this for all those I have loved and lost. It is heartbreaking and joyous at the same time. And when I read that line, it ignited so many emotions that I found myself weeping, again. Thank you for eloquently expressing how Jody’s life and death has touched you. Loosing someone you love makes your appreciation for the world around you grow deeper. And there will be sounds, scents, all sorts of experiences, that will spark a memory and catch you off guard. Don’t hold back, lean into those times and remember…..with all your senses.
What a lovely celebration for the Seven. I enjoyed these photos very much. Sigh….As others have pointed out, how fitting you are laying Jody to rest on the weekend we celebrate her honorary birthday, right when the lilacs are in bloom. I will think of all of you this weekend. You are now intrinsically joined together, deeply, forever, through Jody.
RIP Sweet Jody.
I have a small lilac in my backyard. Planted 2 years ago but wasn’t sure it was going to make it. It’s looking great today and has just been named. Jody!
Beautiful photos and a wonderful celebration of Jody’s life at the sanctuary. It must be comforting to know that she is resting close by. Indeed she will be forever with her family. A beautiful tribute to a much loved Jody. Thanks for sharing .
Sweet Jody i hope you are loving your next adventure. i miss you here though. Mothers Day will forever be about you for me.