Former Canadian Press Director Rose Kingdon Dies at 65

Rose Kingdon, the former director of Broadcast News at The Canadian Press national news service, was found dead in her Toronto home on Friday. She was 65.

Kingdon, who retired in 2023 after more than four decades in broadcasting, was a familiar figure to news directors and executives across Canada during her tenure leading the organization's audio news operations. In a statement released Saturday, editor-in-chief Andrea Baillie described her as having "dedication to CP second to none." Baillie added that Kingdon possessed "exacting standards and an unbelievable work ethic, but she was also such a softie: kind, generous, funny, wry and always ready to lend an ear." The organization expressed being "heartbroken" over her loss.

Baillie highlighted Kingdon's commitment during major events, including the August 2003 blackout that affected 55 million people in Ontario and the northeastern United States. Kingdon remained at the Canadian Press office for 36 hours straight to ensure continuous coverage. Yet Baillie emphasized Kingdon's compassionate nature in a note to staff, stating that "kind, humble, hardworking staffers like her are what make this company run."