Former CBC host Cathy Alex, known for her infectious laughter, love for nature, and dedication to the communities she served over a 33-year career, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling multiple myeloma. While achieving remission in 2024, her cancer resurfaced last summer, as shared in a family blog post.
Originally from Regina, Alex grew up in Guelph, Ontario, and pursued her education in human kinetics at the University of Guelph and journalism at Carleton University in Ottawa. Beginning her tenure with CBC Radio in 1988, she worked in various locations including Corner Brook, N.L., Toronto, Windsor, Ont., and Iqaluit before settling in northwestern Ontario. Spending 25 years with CBC Thunder Bay, she held roles as an editor, producer, reporter, and host before retiring in 2021.
Throughout her career, Alex covered a diverse range of stories and was honored in 2018 by the Association of Ontario Midwives for her exceptional reporting on midwifery issues across the province. Colleagues remember her as a seasoned professional with an engaging on-air presence and a wealth of knowledge, making her a beloved figure among listeners.
Described as genuine and open, Alex was cherished for her sense of humor and ability to bring joy, particularly during memorable on-air moments. Her interests extended to camping, canoeing, baking, singing, nature walks, reading, gardening, and swimming, and she dedicated her free time to community service, organizing events like readings of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” and participating in the Terry Fox Run.
Survived by her husband, two daughters, mother, sisters, and other relatives, Alex’s family expressed gratitude for the time they shared during her remission and thanked the community for their support. A memorial service is scheduled for January 14 in Thunder Bay, with donations encouraged in Alex’s memory to Myeloma Canada or the Northern Cancer Fund.
