Elaine Cole
Elaine Cole was a well-known Southern Ontario on-air television personality in the 50s and 60s with CKCO-TV, (now CTV Southwestern Ontario) Kitchener, Ontario.
Born Elaine Hessenaur, daughter of a prominent Kitchener family, Elaine was recruited by CKCO as someone already well known locally through her roles in various organizations to host their public service/’women’s interest’ programming. Her live, daily Elaine Cole Show became a major attraction, opening a wide area television audience for local groups promoting current activities, visiting celebrities and dignitaries, show headliners, local talent, new product demonstrators, along with discussions of timely issues.
When CKKW Radio was added to the Central Ontario Television operation in the 60s, Elaine did an initial daily hour on radio as well as her television show.
In 1971 Elaine was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis, ending her on-air career. She took on a role as a spokesman locally for the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation, the last years of her life confined to a wheel chair.
Estranged from her husband, Ray Cole, Elaine was the mother of two - her son – actor Bill Cole, - and daughter Helen. Her grandson Trevor Cole is a nationally known writer in Canada, twice shortlisted as a novelist for the Governor General’s Award, and her granddaughter Val Cole, is a Vancouver-based actress, radio and television personality.