Our Story

Judy Jane

Judy Jane, the oldest of four, was born in Canada. Her family moved to the U.S. when she was young, eventually settling in California. During her teenage years, as her mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis while pregnant with twins, Judy found herself helping to raise her siblings while navigating her own adolescence. This experience shaped her into a resilient and caring person who always prioritized and protected those close to her.

At 17, Judy became pregnant and gave birth to our founder, Heather Darst, at 18. She faced life head-on, making hard choices and real sacrifices to raise her daughter with love and grit. Judy was a free spirit—fun, open, and deeply caring, not just to Heather, but to everyone in her orbit.

Judy lived with fierce love through life’s challenges. Just as she found her partner, Larry, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Larry cared for her with unwavering devotion until his passing. Afterward, Heather stepped in—an act of love she considers the greatest honor of her life.

In her memory, Heather founded the Judy Jane Foundation to carry forward Judy’s spirit: open, inclusive, and full of life. We exist to unleash kindness, creativity, and joy, and to create real change by doing good sh*t together.