On announcing the death of his mother, a legendary Canadian curler, Luke Saunders said: “Please think of your favourite Colleen Jones moment, cherish it. Hurry and love hard.”

Jones, who was diagnosed with cancer in early 2023, died Tuesday in Maders Cove, N.S., surrounded by her husband Scott Saunders and sons Luke and Zach. She was 65.

Her son’s advice wasn’t hard to follow given her extraordinary sporting career, nearly four decades with national broadcaster CBC and her infectious joy for curling and life.

“When she walked into a room she was abuzz,” said Elaine Dagg-Jackson, who was the national coach for Curling Canada when Jones won her second world title in Sweden in 2004.

“You just knew she was in the room because of her positivity, energy and engagement.”

Jones won her firs

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