Julian JP Lee

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Friday, 3 October 2025

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Dr. Jane’s death came as a complete shock to me. Yes, I knew she was 91. Yes, I know all things must die… but her? The way she was moving passionately (& compassionately) through the world made me feel like she was going to live forever.

Then, 2 nights ago, Dr. Jane tucked herself into bed after what must have been a full day of engagements… and she never woke up.

For the whole of yesterday, I knew, in my mind, that she had passed away, but I couldn’t believe it.

You can say I was in shock, or denial… the first stages of grief. I just couldn’t emotionally process what it meant to live on in a world without Dr. Jane Goodall. Tell me, dear eco-friends, what are we to do without her? A great grandmother tree in our ecosystem has died.

And yet this morning, I was wandering around my neighbourhood park, as I like to do, and I asked myself, “Is Dr. Jane Goodall really gone?”

While I fully acknowledge that her body has quieted, her mind no longer dreams and her heart no longer pulses with hope, I also had to acknowledge all that she leaves behind her… a myriad of inspiring quotes, speeches and scientific work… a whole network of young environmentalists beginning to bloom… an embodied soul of gentle ferocity, genuine compassion & steady, sincere hope…

She has not really left us. She’s still here.