Former CBC host Cathy Alex, known for her infectious laughter, passion for the outdoors, and dedication to the communities she served over 33 years, has passed away at the age of 62 after battling multiple myeloma. Although she achieved remission in 2024, her cancer resurfaced this past summer, as revealed in a statement by her family.
Originally from Regina, Alex grew up in Guelph, Ontario, and pursued her education in human kinetics at the University of Guelph before earning a journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa.
Her extensive career with CBC Radio commenced in 1988, leading her to various locations including Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Toronto, Windsor, Ontario, and Iqaluit, before settling in northwestern Ontario. Alex dedicated 25 years to CBC Thunder Bay, where she held diverse roles such as editor, producer, reporter, and host before retiring in 2021.
Throughout her tenure, Alex covered a wide array of stories, receiving recognition in 2018 from the Association of Ontario Midwives for her exceptional reporting on midwifery matters across the province.
Former CBC Thunder Bay producer Ron Desmoulins fondly recalled Alex as a seasoned professional with a remarkable ability to tackle any assignment. Colleague Gord Ellis emphasized her humor and love of laughter, citing an on-air incident where Alex’s genuine reactions endeared her to listeners.
Beyond her professional achievements, Alex was an avid camper, canoer, baker, singer, and nature enthusiast, with a particular fondness for swimming. She also actively engaged in community endeavors, organizing events like a reading of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” and volunteering for the Terry Fox Run.
Alex is survived by her husband, two daughters, mother, sisters, and extended family. A memorial service is scheduled for January 14 at Sargent and Sons Funeral Home in Thunder Bay, with the family suggesting donations to Myeloma Canada or the Northern Cancer Fund in Alex’s memory. Her family expressed gratitude for the support received during her illness, highlighting the importance of community in their journey.