Maritime television trailblazer Leona Coburn dies at 83

Trailing blazing broadcaster Leona Coburn dies at 83.

Leona Coburn, a trailblazer in the Maritime broadcast industry, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83.

Long-time CTV viewers may remember Coburn as a former daytime talk show host on shows such as “Atlantic AM” and “2885” in the 1970s at CTV Atlantic, formerly known as ATV and before that, CJCH.

Coburn grew up in Yarmouth, N.S., before moving to Halifax in 1965 to begin her career at CJCH-TV working as a host, producer and director.

Former ATV employee Penny Macaulay says she remembers Coburn as a hard worker.

“She was producing a lot of variety television along with commercials, and that’s how I knew her, and she was always lovely, lovely ... quiet, professional,” said Macaulay.

Coburn was involved in plenty of Maritime programs, including “Up and Coming” and the show “Maritime Country,” which was hosted by her and her then-husband Andy Winters.

Coburn’s former news director, Dick Pratt, says he remembers her fondly.

“Leona was able to show her expertise in news, drama, and musicals. She always took her fellow staff under her wing to pass along her experience. Leona will be remembered as being a true professional,” said Pratt.

Following her retirement from ATV in 1999, Coburn was far from done with television, becoming the executive producer for the IWK Telethon.

“Leona has been involved with the IWK and the success of telethon for almost three decades, and that’s a massive legacy for anybody to leave behind,” said Jennifer Gillivan, IWK Foundation president and CEO.

Former CTV News Atlantic host Steve Murphy remembers working with Coburn at ATV as well as during the telethon.

“Leona was a genuine trailblazer in the television industry. She was among the first women to host and produce programs and she was among the very best at both. Leona brought quality, style and grace to everything she did, and she did it all, on both sides of the camera,” said Murphy.

In 2024, Murphy interviewed Coburn at the Telethon Tribute Show, which would be her final telethon appearance.

“Just being part of the whole event and being able to make things happen for the kids at the IWK, that’s the most important thing,” she said at the time.