Colleen Jones stands for a photo after her induction into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame at a 2016 event in Toronto. The Canadian Press
Colleen Jones died Tuesday morning at age 65. Her son Luke Saunders shared the news in a post on X. He said she spent her final moments in her favourite place in Maders Cove, looking out over the ocean with her family beside her. He wrote, “Mom had been fighting and trying to beat back cancer over the last three years or so… Please think of your favourite Colleen Jones moment, cherish it. Hurry and love hard.”
Jones received a cancer diagnosis in early 2023. Her death brought an outpouring of messages from fans, friends, curlers, and colleagues.
A champion on the ice and a star on television
Jones grew up in Halifax and became one of Canada’s most respected curlers. She earned her first national women’s title in 1982 at age 22. That victory made her the youngest skip to win the Canadian championship. She stepped back from competition for several years as she focused on her family and her work.
She joined CBC Nova Scotia in 1986 and became the first woman to anchor sports in Halifax. Her energy and warmth helped her connect with viewers across the country. She later moved to CBC Newsworld in 1989, where she covered sports, weather, and community stories. Her storytelling style drew praise for its honesty and charm. She returned to CBC Nova Scotia in 2012 and continued reporting until her retirement in 2023.
CBC Sports executive director Chris Wilson said she represented “a titan in every sense of the word — from sport to life.”
Remarkable career filled with championships
Jones returned to competitive curling in the late 1990s and added more titles to her name. She won her second national championship in 1999. She then led her team — Kim Kelly, Mary-Anne Arsenault, and Nancy Delahunt — to four straight Scotties wins from 2001 to 2004.
She also captured world titles in 2001 and 2004. Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame welcomed her in 2016. She often praised the life lessons curling taught her, saying the sport shaped her friendships, discipline, joy, and resilience.
Jones kept curling long after many athletes retire. She played at the Scotties in 2013, won a world senior title in 2017, and continued competing in mixed events. She said in 2020, “It’s the most natural and awesome feeling you can have. It’s a thrill to still chase it.”
A lifelong love of the sport
Jones grew up in a large family. She said curling dominated conversations around the kitchen table. She practised slides on the kitchen floor before she turned 14, the age she first visited her local club. She said it felt like love from the very first throw.
She also built a respected career as a curling commentator. She covered 11 Olympic Games and often switched into reporter mode during major tournaments when her team lost early. Colleagues said she brought unmatched enthusiasm to every story. Scott Russell called her “an absolutely iconic Canadian broadcaster.” Devin Heroux, her co-host on That Curling Show, said, “She made people believe that something wonderful was about to happen.”
Deep ties to her province and family
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston called her “a true Nova Scotia legend.” She also took on coaching roles in recent years. She coached the Nova Scotia team at last year’s Brier, where her son Luke played vice-skip. She leaves behind her husband Scott Saunders and sons Luke and Zach.
Colleen Jones built a life full of sport, storytelling, community, and joy. Canadians remember her as a champion, a mentor, and a voice that brought warmth to every broadcast.
