How did Nerene Virgin die?

Nerene Virgin, a familiar and comforting presence on Canadian television, known for her nurturing role as Jodie, the gentle display designer on the 1980s children’s TV show “Today’s Special,” passed away on Monday, January 15, at a hospital in Burlington, Ontario. She was 77.

While Virgin made an enduring impact on a generation of young Canadians through her portrayal of Jodie, she also stood out as a trailblazer in various fields, including teaching, journalism, and social justice in the country.

Born on December 27, 1946, in Hamilton, Ontario, Virgin’s talents extended beyond acting. She distinguished herself as an accomplished broadcast journalist and host, with roles that took her to different parts of the country. Her hosting credits included the current affairs show “Eye on Toronto” on CFTO, later rebranded as CTV News Toronto, and the daily national current affairs program “Coast to Coast” for CBC Newsworld in Calgary.

Virgin, a multi-talented individual, began her career as a teacher in Hamilton before transitioning into acting. She seamlessly combined her passions when she ventured into educational television. While she appeared in several iconic Canadian children’s shows like “Polka Dot Door” and “The Littlest Hobo,” it was her character Jodie on “Today’s Special” (produced by TVOntario and aired on Nickelodeon in the U.S.) that endeared her to the hearts and minds of many children.

Beyond her on-screen contributions, Virgin, as the great-granddaughter of escaped slave Thomas John (Howard) Holland, was deeply committed to amplifying the legacy of historic Black Canadians. In 2012, she played a pivotal role in organizing a gathering of over 200 descendants of Holland in Hamilton, showcasing her dedication to preserving and celebrating the history of Black communities in Canada.