Ottawa Life mourns the untimely passing of former CTV Ottawa anchor Leigh Chapple. Chapple died suddenly at the age of 58 in her Ottawa home on the morning of December 10.
For 36 years, Leigh Chapple was part of the CTV Ottawa family. She was proud to serve viewers in her hometown for decades before her retirement on May 4, 2012. She started out as a personal assistant to Max Keeping before moving on-air, first as a reporter, later as an anchor – forming a deep bond with loyal viewers across the region. Leigh also taught journalism at Algonquin College, and has had a hand in shaping the lives and careers of many journalists who live and work in the Ottawa area. She will be truly missed.
Leigh Chapple began her career with CHOV-TV Pembroke. She then joined CJOH-TV, and soon stepped into the role of reporter. Chapple also hosted Regional Contact, the weekend editions of CTV News, and was anchor of the late-night newscast CTV NEWS AT 11:30 before retiring. Leigh was a 2001 nominee for the Premier’s Award, was named one of the capital’s Top 50 people by Ottawa Life Magazine in 2003, and was also honoured as the Consumers’ Choice Award Woman of the Year.
Ottawa Life Publisher Dan Donovan said: “Leigh Chapple was a wonderful person, a talented broadcaster and represented the best of Ottawa. She passed far too young and our thoughts and condolences go out to her family and friends.”
