Sorry to have to pass on the news that longtime BC broadcaster Carol Thorbes died on April 14th, 2020 at age 63.
Carol led a full life despite numerous setbacks both physical and emotional. She was a survivor of both thyroid and breast cancer, a massive auto accident and a failed back surgery, that generated severe chronic pain. She lived with unremitting pain for the last 20 years, and yet, most people involved with her were unaware of this. They saw a beautiful, vibrant and brilliant woman with an easy laugh that would captivate them.
She worked in media at first, going from disc jockey in Nanaimo to reporter and anchor for CBC. (see her full radio itinerary courtesy of Vancouver Broadcasters below.) Then she had an award winning career as an SFU Media and Communications Officer. Administration with the Girl Guides followed that, until her will just could not overcome her pain. Even then she did some part time work promoting local jazz musicians, something she particularly enjoyed.
Carol also came to love the great outdoors, both as an artist and as a recreational sportswoman. Both Carol and husband Bazz enjoyed all forms of skiing, biking and paddling together, including whitewater.
Carol was not an observer and loved to participate which became increasingly difficult and finally impossible. She will be sadly missed by her husband Bazz, siblings Cliff and Holly, niece Samantha, grandnephews Jack and Brock, as well as her many friends and acquaintances.
Much of the above is republished here courtesy of Kearney Funeral Services.
Her radio itinerary, courtesy of Vancouver Broadcasters:
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Carol Thorbes – All night/ evening DJ CKEG Nanaimo 1981-82; evening/ weekend DJ CJVI, Victoria 1982-83; evening/weekend DJ CKIQ Kelowna 1983-84; newscaster/ reporter CJVI 1984; newscaster/ reporter CFAX Victoria 1984-89 and winner of RTNDA regional award for armed robbery series Armed and Dangerous; newscaster/ reporter/ feature writer CKWX/ SRN Vancouver; reporter /newscaster/ feature writer/ anchor CBC Radio/ TV Vancouver 1991-98, winner of several regional/ national/ international TV awards; marketing/ communications Cymbolic Sciences Inc. 1998-99; information officer Simon Fraser University Burnaby 1999-2015; winner of several CAE (Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education) awards for news releases/ features; talk show host CIRH-FM Vancouver 2015-16; communications writer University Canada West Vancouver and Trinity Western University Langley 2015-16; adult records administrator Girl Guides British Columbia 2016-19. Died in Vancouver April 14, 2020 at age 63. |
This makes me so sad to hear. Carol and I worked together during her first gig when she did overnites in Nanaimo in 1981. A lovely person,with a bright,and shining soul. RIP Carol.