She was a serene force of nature. And she never wavered in her mission to help the animals to which she dedicated her life.
When I interviewed Dame Jane Goodall last year, she exuded calm, even as she pressed home to me that a great extinction crisis was facing our planet.
Over a slightly blurry video call, I could see her toy monkey, Mr H, behind her.
That toy was given to her nearly 30 years ago by a friend. Dr Goodall, who was 90 years old when we spoke, was still travelling the world with Mr H at her side.
Researchers I've spoken to this evening, whose work Dr Goodall inspired, or who were simply inspired by her energy, are in shock at her death aged 91.
