JD (Jan) Derbyshire peacefully kicked the bucket on Sept 26th, 2025. A curious, non-binary, queerdo lesbian, proud parent and working class artist, they haphazardly “trained” with Keith Johnstone at Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary, and came from an “I’ve got a flashlight, you’ve got a piece of velvet cloth, let’s make a show” theatre-making culture. It was through their working class lens that they saw and experienced things from the bottom to the top, constantly challenging why things had always been done the way they’d been done, and asking–who is it serving? 

They worked in various forms–theatre, film, drawing, clowning, stand-up comedy, sketch comedy, pod-plays and parenthood, and published a novel at age 61. They were a long- standing consultant for Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access with Calgary Arts Development (CADA)–work they were fuelled by and deeply proud of. They taught, mentored and worked with many artists over the years, always aiming to bring joy, playfulness and a collaborative spirit to the room. 

JD made most of their work outside of the granting system and supported others in figuring out how to do the same. A big believer in finding ways to learn without being thrown into lifelong debt, they largely avoided academia–except for that time they earned a Masters from OCAD University at the age of 53 and without an undergraduate degree. 

Born in Calgary, JD moved to Vancouver in 1988, and did a couple of stints in Toronto and Calgary before moving back to Vancouver in 2015. They became a parent in 1991 and raised Kacey largely solo, in a time way before it was cool for lesbians to have kiddos. They met their soulmate Dana in 2004 while playing lesbian road hockey in an East Van school yard. What followed was and is a revolutionary love for the ages. 

Always an advocate for defining success for yourself, they were jokingly self-described as “perhaps not the most successful artist.” They led a life fuelled by curiosity and wonder through both the dark and the light times, which were never one or the other but rather “twilight, all of it twilight.” They were a true outsider artist, an advocate and activist, a soft-hearted rebel, a natural mischief-maker. They loved clouds, apples, books, bike rides, road trips, Snoopy, cross-country skiing, snow-shoeing, canoeing, hiking, lake swims, camping, snacks, big deep talks, uplifting soul classics, dog walks in the forest, all creatures great and small, and lots of other things too.

JD was a sharp-witted, generous, hilarious, wise, thoughtful, deep feeling, kind-hearted, and brilliant, 25-years sober weirdo who added dimension and depth to every life they touched. A dedicated dharma student and meditation practitioner, they were a one-of-a-kind soul who has probably taken to this whole afterlife thing like a fish to water. They always were mystical like that.

Some JD’isms to carry in your back pocket: look for the good in everyone, fight for joy, make mistakes, question binaries, be generous, doubt happens, nothing to prove, have opinions and have them changed, try not to use Amazon, floss your teeth, try to thread the needle between earnestness and goofiness, and be weird. Totally weird. WEIRD IS GOOD!

JD is survived by their Dot (daughter) Kacey Rohl, their partner of 22 years (and counting) Dana Ayotte, their mother Jean Derbyshire, sister Jean Storey (Ed), aunt and uncle Diane and Hank Bakker, aunt Sister Patricia “Trish” Derbyshire, cousin Jessica Bolland, furry be(a)sties Nugget and Aggie, and many other family and friends. They are predeceased by brother Duff Derbyshire and father Francis Wallace “Wally” Derbyshire. 

As per their wishes, no service will be held. Stay tuned for a possible memorial dance party at a later date. In lieu of flowers, give some cash to the gal on the street who needs a coffee or a smoke, or consider a donation to Rainbow Refugee, a local Food Bank or the Ucluelet Aquarium.

We’re a bunch of lucky ducks, us who knew them. So long and thanks for all the fish, JD. You are loved and You Are Love. The energy that is you will not be lost.