Colleen Jones, a celebrated world champion curler and longtime CBC broadcaster, has passed away at the age of 65 after a battle with cancer. Her son, Luke, announced her death on social media, stating she died on Tuesday morning.

Born in Halifax, Jones was a prominent figure in Canadian curling, winning six Scotties Tournament of Hearts national titles, including four consecutive championships from 2001 to 2004. She holds the record for the most national titles alongside fellow curlers Jennifer Jones and Jill Officer. In addition to her national success, Jones won two world women’s championships in 2001 and 2004 and a world senior championship in 2017. She made a record 21 appearances at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts, the most by any curler in Canadian history.

Jones began her broadcasting career in 1986 when she joined CBC as Halifax’s first female sports anchor. Over nearly four decades, she became a familiar face on Canadian television, covering a wide range of stories, including sports and human interest pieces. She retired from CBC in 2023, having made significant contributions to the network, including reporting from 10 Olympic Games.

In recognition of her achievements, Jones was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2022 and was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. Her impact on the sport and broadcasting was profound, as she broke barriers for women in both fields. Jones often reflected on her journey, stating, "For me, it was overshooting the runway of that dream, and doing more than I thought was possible."

Jones's curling career began at a young age. At 19, she won her first provincial women’s title and earned a silver medal at the Canada Games. In 1982, she became the youngest skip to win a Canadian women’s title. Throughout her life, she emphasized the importance of perseverance and gratitude, encouraging others to pursue their dreams.

After retiring from broadcasting, Jones continued to be involved in curling, coaching her son’s team at the Brier, the Canadian men’s championship, earlier this year. She is survived by her husband, Scott Saunders, her sons Zach and Luke, and one grandson. Jones's legacy as a trailblazer in curling and broadcasting will be remembered by many.