Canada is mourning the loss of Colleen Jones, a curling legend, pioneering broadcaster, and trailblazer for women in sports, who passed away at 65 following a battle with cancer. Jones, who grew up in Halifax, made an indelible mark on both the curling rink and Canadian media over nearly four decades.
Jones’ curling career was extraordinary. She won the World Women’s Curling Championships in 2001 and 2004 and claimed six Canadian Women’s Championships, appearing 21 times at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, more than any other curler in Canadian history. She also skipped Canada to victory at the World Senior Women’s Championship in 2017. Recognized for her contributions to sport, she was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame twice — individually in 2023 and as part of her championship team in 2011.
Beyond the ice, Jones broke barriers in Canadian broadcasting. She joined CBC in 1986 as Halifax’s first female sports anchor, eventually covering ten Olympic Games and telling stories of everyday Canadians with dedication and integrity. Her career culminated in retirement in 2023, after which she continued shaping the sport she loved by coaching curling, including her son’s team at the Brier, Canada’s national men’s championship.
Jones often spoke about perseverance and balance, influenced by her survival of bacterial meningitis in 2010. “Do the things that make us happy now, because tomorrow isn’t guaranteed,” she wrote in her autobiography, Throwing Rocks at Houses: My Life in and out of Curling. She believed deeply in inspiring young women, saying, “Women can dream these dreams, too, of building a career through sport.”
Her family announced her death on Tuesday. Her son, Luke, said she passed surrounded by loved ones, gazing out over the ocean from her favorite spot in Maders Cove. She is survived by her husband, Scott Saunders, sons Zach and Luke, and one grandson.
Colleen Jones’ legacy is multifaceted: a sports champion, a barrier-breaking journalist, a mentor, and a passionate advocate for women in sport. Her impact continues to resonate, inspiring generations of athletes and broadcasters alike.