HALIFAX – Kim Kelly had already pointed out that her long-time teammate Colleen Jones wouldn’t have advised crying during an interview when Kelly’s eyes started to well up again as she tried to capture her friend’s incomparable life in words.
“I think that’s what she would want people to remember her, as a warm, compassionate, caring human,” Kelly said of Jones, her voice shaking as tears fell, just before canada’s eight best women’s curling teams began play at the Scotiabank Center for the chance to represent the country at the 2026 Olympics.
“And I think what I would miss most is all of her,” Kelly added. “Just her.”
On Tuesday, the curling world mourned the loss of an icon as news emerged that earlier in the day, Jones had lost a nearly three-year-long battle to cancer at the age of 65, wiht her husband Scott Saunders and sons Luke and Zach by her side, in her hometown of Halifax.
All the while, Canada’s Olympic curling Trials are ongoing in Jones’ hometown, where Canada’s top men’s and women’s teams are competing for a berth to Milano Cortina, and as Kelly put it: “She would’ve loved to be here right now.”
Jones’s presence was certainly felt.
The first words over the arena’s speaker tuesday evening ahead of the women’s draw were: “The curling world has lost a legend,” followed by clips of Jones celebrating some of her incredible six Scotties Tournament of hearts championship wins on the big screen, always sporting that giant smile she so often wore. Fans in the building rose to their feet and clapped in her memory, and there was a moment of silence before play began.
Out on the ice for the pre-game memorial ceremony were Jones’s three former teammates in Kelly, Mary-Anne Arsenault and Nancy Delahunt, along with Jones’s son, Luke, who earlier Tuesday released a statement from her social media accounts announcing she had passed while surrounded by her family, and looking at the ocean from Maders Cove, her favorite spot in Nova Scotia.
Jones coached Luke and team Nova Scotia to a playoff appearance at the Brier earlier this year. She cried tears of joy when he made his debut on that stage, back in 2023.
Jones,a two-time world champion,played in more Scotties games than anybody ever,and 21 national championships in all. She was the youngest skip to win the title. She was the first skip to win four straight national championships.
Jones blazed trails not only on the ice in growing the profile of the women’s game, but also as the first female sports anchor in Halifax in 1986, the start of a nearly three-decade-long career as a reporter. She was appointed to the Order of Ca
Curling Community Remembers Colleen Jones, a Pioneer and Inspiration
The curling world is reflecting on the legacy of Colleen Jones, a six-time Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion who passed away in February 2024 at the age of 65. Current players and colleagues have shared heartfelt tributes, emphasizing her impact on the sport and the lives of those she touched.
Kerri Einarson, whose Manitoba rink is currently undefeated and vying for a direct berth to the final, expressed her emotion, recalling, “her smile – I’ll never forget it.” Einarson’s team is scheduled to play Rachel Homan in the round robin finale on Wednesday. https://www.cbc.ca/sports/curling/colleen-jones-death-tributes-1.7128999
For many, Jones was more than a champion; she was a role model. Jill Black,a curler from Halifax,Nova Scotia,credits Jones with inspiring her own career. “I wouldn’t be here without her. There’s no doubt in my mind.I idolized her growing up,” Black stated. She recounted attending the 1999 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in Charlottetown, witnessing Jones’ victory and the joyful celebration that followed. “It’s a moment I’ve always had and I was like, ‘I want to have that moment, I just want to have that moment like Colleen.’…And that’s because of her.” black added that Jones’ success demonstrated to young athletes from smaller provinces like Nova Scotia that they too could achieve championship status. https://www.thecoastguardian.com/sports/curling/colleen-jones-remembered-as-a-trailblazer-and-inspiration-7519916
Nancy kelly, another colleague, remembered Jones’ positive outlook on life, noting a friend’s constant refrain that “life is lovely.” Kelly reflected that she learned not just how to win from Jones, but “how to live life bigger and life fuller.” She expressed a wish that Jones were present to share her own reflections. Kelly imagined Jones would encourage everyone to “celebrate me, I lived more than most people did in my 65 years.”
Jones herself,speaking in February 2024 at the Scotties Tournament of hearts in Calgary,described the exhilaration of winning. “I think the whole winning thing becomes just so electric for you, because you’ve heard the roar of the crowd so many times, it makes you love the game more,” she said. “Winning makes you love, love, love, love everything about this. There is so much to love.” https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/sports/colleen-jones-remembered-as-a-trailblazer-and-inspiration-7519916
Colleen Jones’ impact extends far beyond her six Scotties championships and numerous othre accolades. She will be remembered as a pioneer who inspired generations of curlers and a vibrant personality who embraced life to the fullest.
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