Former colleagues are expressing their shock and sadness after learning of the passing of former News 1130 (CKWX-AM) anchor Dianne Newman earlier this month. She was 69.
Newman died on April 1 at Vancouver General Hospital, according to an obituary shared with Broadcast Dialogue by several alumni of the station.
Best known for her 19-year run with CKWX-AM, from 1992 to 2011, Newman started her broadcasting career at Mountain FM (CISQ-FM / CISW-FM) in Squamish and Whistler. She then joined Vancouver’s 1040 KICKS (CKXY-AM) from 1989 to 1992, before landing at News 1130.
Former News 1130 News Director George Gordon, who worked with Newman for a decade – five of those years on-air together – said his former morning co-anchor was a consummate professional.
“She was meticulous about prepping her casts,” said Gordon. “Slackers suffered her wrath. She also had a huge heart and mentored many young broadcasters.”
Gordon said he was hoping to see Newman at the next RPM gathering of Vancouver broadcasters in May.
In addition to her broadcasting career, Newman entertained frequently at Legion 142 in Kitsilano, performing with her brand Groove Therapy.
Since parting ways with Rogers Sports & Media in 2011, she had been a narrator with Descriptive Video Works in Vancouver, providing audio descriptions of filmed content for the visually impaired.
