Legendary curler Colleen Jones found a winning formula that led her to become one of the world’s all-time top curlers, and a groundbreaking CBC television broadcaster. Her passion for curling, undying dedication to her family, and tenacity as a sportscaster made her a true icon. Jones, who passed away on November 25 in Maders Cove, N.S., after a 32-month battle with colon cancer, has left an indelible mark in the world of sport and broadcasting.
Colleen Jones: A Life Devoted to Curling and Broadcasting
The Nova Scotia native was known for her almost perpetual motion during waking hours. Her key priorities, which she stuck with fierce loyalty, were curling, her family, and the CBC. In her illustrious career spanning five decades, she not only excelled in curling but also made her mark as one of Canada’s first female sportscasters and a risk-taking reporter for almost 40 years.
Accomplishments on and off the Ice
Colleen’s simple approach to living reaped huge rewards. She captured a record six Canadian women’s curling titles, competing an unmatched 21 times at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. She also earned two world women’s titles, numerous other provincial, national, and championships in the junior, senior, and mixed categories, and off-ice awards. In 2022, she was named to the Order of Canada, a testament to her outstanding contributions.
An Unmatched Commitment and Drive
“I don’t think there will ever be anyone like her in terms of her commitment and drive,” said Perry Lefko, the co-author of her 2015 autobiography, Throwing Rocks at Houses: My Life In and Out of Curling. As a pioneer in both her curling career and broadcasting career, Jones demonstrated a zest for living, packing more into her 65 years than most people would in two lifetimes.
A Passion for Curling and Storytelling
Whether it was curling or her career in broadcasting, Jones was always on the go. On television, she loved telling stories of regular people she described as “everyday heroes.” She often reported from a first-person perspective, engaging in activities as diverse as bungee jumping, skydiving, and roller derby.
Legacy and Impact
Colleen Jones’s legacy is marked not only by her incredible record in curling but also by her pioneering role as a female sportscaster. Her love for curling was profound and flowed through her life like the blood in her body. She once said, “My whole life has been shaped around curling and throwing rocks…You wouldn’t think that a simple game that is your passion can lead to so many other things in your life; but it has, and it did, and I’m thankful for it.”
A Life Well Lived
Colleen Patricia Jones was born into a curling sisterhood on Dec. 16, 1959, in Halifax. She was the fifth of nine children raised by Malachi and Anne Marie (née MacDonald) Jones – eight girls and a boy. Her life was shaped by her passion for curling, which led to her many accomplishments and allowed her to make significant contributions to the curling world and the media industry. Her life was cut short by colon cancer, but her legacy continues to inspire and influence the world of curling and broadcasting.
