Former CBC host Cathy Alex is being remembered for her contagious laughter, love for nature and dedication to the communities she engaged with during her 33-year career.
Alex passed away on Monday after a long fight against multiple myeloma. She was 62. Although she went into remission in 2024, her cancer returned this past summer, as stated in a blog post by her family.
Born in Regina, Alex spent much of her early years in Guelph, Ont. She studied human kinetics at the University of Guelph before earning her journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.
Her journey with CBC Radio began in 1988 and took her across Corner Brook, N. L., Toronto, Windsor, Ont., and Iqaluit before she finally settled in northwestern Ontario. After spending 25 years with CBC Thunder Bay, she retired in 2021 while taking on various roles including editor, producer, reporter and host.
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Alex, centre, with some of her colleagues from CBC Thunder Bay during the city’s annual Santa Claus Parade. (Cathy Alex/Facebook)
Throughout the years, Alex covered an array of stories.
In 2018, the Association of Ontario Midwives honored her with a media award recognizing her coverage of midwifery issues throughout the province.
“When I first arrived in Thunder Bay, Cathy was one of the veterans at the station and as a newcomer to journalism I was impressed by how well she managed everything that came her way,” said former CBC Thunder Bay producer Ron Desmoulins.
“She had a great on-air presence and behind the scenes; she was an invaluable source of information who could recall or suggest contacts for any story you were working on.”
It was this openness and realness that made so many listeners love her.- Gord Ellis, CBC Thunder Bay
CBC Thunder Bay’s Gord Ellis worked closely with Alex throughout her entire career in the northwest.
“Maybe what I’ll remember most about Cathy is her sense of humour and enjoyment of a good laugh,” Ellis shared.
Ellis recalled an on-air moment when he talked about painted turtles freezing nearly solid during winter through brumation. He humorously compared them to Walt Disney’s cryogenically frozen head.
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CBC Thunder Bay’s Gord Ellis, the late Lisa Laco and Alex are shown at a community pop-up event. Ellis says Alex’s realness and openness is what listeners loved most about her. (Cathy Alex/Facebook)
“She completely lost it on air; laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her face while she could barely speak. It was this openness and realness that endeared so many listeners to her-and it’s what I’ll miss most,” Ellis added.
Alex’s obituary also highlights many interests such as camping, canoeing, baking, singing, nature walks, reading gardening and above all swimming.
In addition to work commitments; she dedicated time to community service by organizing readings of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol with local personalities for several years while also volunteering annually for Terry Fox Run according to Desmoulins.
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Alex loved nature activities including swimming, camping, canoeing, and nature walks across northwestern Ontario.(Cathy Alex/Facebook)
Alex is survived by husband Alisdair , two daughters , her mother, sisters, and other family members.
On Monday , the family released a blog post regarding their loss.
“This isn’t how we thought things would unfold; certainly not how we wanted things to go,” read part of their statement.”Still , we are incredibly thankful for that year we had together when she was well enough. We created numerous more cherished memories as a family which we will hold dear forever.”
LISTEN | CBC Thunder Bay: Remembering Cathy Alex:
Superior Morning10:20CBC Thunder Bay: Remembering Cathy Alex
We pay tribute to our longtime colleague who became such a familiar voice for many listeners. Formerly known as Voyage North host, Cathy Alex passed away earlier this week. Hear acknowledgments honoring an outstanding journalistand friend.
“We also want take time out thanking everyone who has been there supporting us over these last two years. It truly takes effort from all sides -and we’re lucky enough having large community backing us.”
A memorial service will be held January14th starting at11 :30 am ET. The family requests donations made either Myeloma Canada or Northern Cancer Fund instead flowers.
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