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Judy Jane photo

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.​

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At 17, Judy became pregnant and gave birth to our founder, Heather Darst,
at 18. Despite the challenges, she embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, making difficult and personal sacrifices to raise Heather. Judy was a free spirit, balancing her fun, carefree nature with the responsibilities of raising her daughter. She extended her love to Heather’s childhood friends, staying connected with them even after Heather moved away.

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​​Judy Jane was known for her fierce love and survival through many of life’s challenges. Sadly, just as she found the love of her life, Larry, she was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s. Larry cared for her with unwavering devotion until his passing from lung cancer. Afterward, Heather stepped in to care for her mother, a role she considered the greatest honor of her life.​

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In memory of her mother, Heather founded the Judy Jane Foundation to honor the inclusive, life-loving spirit that Judy embodied. The foundation envisions a world where kindness, creativity, and joy are unleashed in every corner, creating positive ripples of change that inspire others to join in
doing sh*t good together.

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