Deborah Jean LeRose

In loving memory ~

Deborah Jean LeRose age 64, passed away April 1, 2025 after a brief illness. She is survived by her life partner of 39 years Jan Altshool, her mother Marisa and brothers Robert & David LeRose. She was predeceased by her beloved grandparents and her father Melvin LeRose. She leaves behind strong & loving connections (some recent and some lasting decades) with her extended family and her sister-friends (her words).

Graduating from high school in Trail, B.C., Deborah moved to Vancouver attending both UBC & SFU, graduating with a degree in Communications. She used her excellent communication skills throughout her working life & in volunteer work for social justice.

Deborah worked for 33 years at BC Hydro. At B.C. Hydro she started their first ever social media channels, designed Hydro's 2010 Olympic pin, & always prioritized team work & solutions that put people first. Deborah also served five years as co-chair of the B.C. Hydro Pride Network, including facilitating on-line information sessions on 2SLGBTQIA+.

As a founding member of LEGIT-Canadian Immigration for Same-Sex Partners, Deborah was instrumental in creating hand-outs and guidebooks for LEGIT that helped thousands of LGBTQ+ couples navigate the immigration system. Deb wrote briefs, and traveled to address the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration on the inequities present in the Immigration regulations and act.

Deb and Jan also worked with Rainbow Refugee Society to bring a lesbian couple to safety in Canada and supported a young middle-eastern lesbian after her arrival in Canada. All three of these women became part of Deb's family.

After work she loved to pick up her ukulele and belt out songs. She was a proud first-generation Italian-Canadian and did extensive research into her family's genealogy. She & Jan loved to visit Jan's home state of New Mexico where Jan's friends became their family. They enjoyed many vacations together, most recently to Vietnam.

In lieu of flowers, donations made in Deborah's name are appreciated & can be sent to

Rainbow Bridge: a Refugee sponsorship group https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/rainbow-bridge/

Or to:

Out in Schools:

https://akmecxrc.donorsupport.co/page/FUNNZDNJMDS

A Celebration of Deb's life will be held at Vancouver Unitarians 949 W 49th (at Oak) May 31 at 2PM.

For those unable to attend in person, the live stream link is here: https://vanu.ca/deborahlerose