Charlene Ruth Jendry

Charlene Jendry, age 85, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2026, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born on July 28, 1941 in San Antonio, Texas and was the cherished daughter of William Hobert Stone and Thelma (Haley) Stone.

Charlene graduated from Highlands High School in 1958 and married her high school sweetheart, Bobby Jendry, in 1960.

Known for her infectious laugh, warmth, curiosity, and remarkable ability to connect with people across cultures and communities, Charlene had a charismatic presence and a genuine interest in others.

Throughout her life, Charlene found fulfillment in connection with family, friends, animals, and communities. She embraced experiences fully and often found joy and purpose in unexpected places.

In 1979, Charlene became involved with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium as a docent, initially drawn by the opportunity to meet people. She often shared how a quiet, early moment near the gorilla habitat, when a gorilla approached and angled her head to peer curiously into Charlene’s eyes, sparked a lifelong passion that would shape her work and path forward. That passion ultimately led her to join the Zoo staff as a gorilla keeper in 1984, a role she held for 14 years.

In 1991, Charlene reached an important milestone when she was selected by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International as the first zookeeper to participate in its gorilla field research internship program. With support from the Columbus Zoo, she traveled to Rwanda, where she spent six months at the Karisoke Research Center in the Virunga Mountains, observing mountain gorilla families and building lasting relationships with local trackers.

Her time in Rwanda helped shape her involvement in co-founding Partners In Conservation (PIC) at the Columbus Zoo. Through her leadership with PIC, Charlene helped advance the protection of mountain gorillas while improving the lives of thousands of people in Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During her time with PIC, more than $6 million was raised and directed to support education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, and conservation partnerships that created lasting change for both people and wildlife. For more than 30 years, PIC has continued as the Zoo’s longest-running conservation program, building on the foundation Charlene helped establish.

In recognition of her work with PIC, Charlene was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities by Capital University.

In her later years and retirement, Charlene remained deeply connected to Rwanda, continuing to communicate with the friends and families she had come to know there. She also cherished time spent with her family and with the many friends through PIC who became part of her extended family.

Charlene’s life was marked by the joy she shared with those around her and a deep commitment to lifting up others, shown through her kindness, courage, innovation, and a genuine desire to make a difference. She will be remembered for the lasting impact she had on those who knew her and on the communities touched by her work.

Those who knew Charlene often shared a common sentiment: one person can make such a difference.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Jendry of Columbus, Ohio; her daughter, Kristi Leigh Jendry of Columbus, Ohio; her brother-in-law, David Alan Jendry (Rita) of Texas; her nieces, Jean Braun (Zachary) and family of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Phylis Jendry and her partner, Zachary Holcomb, of Savannah, Georgia, and Shanna Greco and family of San Antonio, Texas; her nephews, Barrett Fisher and family of Leander, Texas, and Shawn Jendry and family of Dallas, Texas; and her cousin, Kathi Fisher of San Antonio, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of Charlene’s life will be held at the Columbus Zoo in May with more details to follow soon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to the Columbus Zoo in support of the Ubumwe Community Center, a conservation and humanitarian-focused project of the Zoo that was deeply meaningful to Charlene. Donations may be made online (https://www.columbuszoo.org/memoriam-charlene-jendry) or by mailing a check to the Columbus Zoo, PO Box 400, Powell, OH 43065, with “UCC – Charlene Jendry” noted in the memo.