Heartbreaking news: The beloved CBS New York meteorologist and Mount Vernon native who worked at the station for 16 years, has sadly died at the age of 51.
Elise was on the air with us just this past Friday. However, the news site noted that she died suddenly in a local hospital over the weekend. Finch’s cause of death has not yet been determined.
CBS paid tribute to the Finch in a Sunday special. The station said, “Elise was a gifted and consummate professional who took great care with her work. She was also a wonderful ambassador in the community, including her hometown of Mount Vernon. Her death is sudden and unexpected, leaving us all trying to understand how this could happen to our beautiful Elise. She was our bright light in the morning. We had the great pleasure of working with Elise for 16 years.”
The statement continued: “Above all, Elise was a fiercely loving and devoted mother to her daughter Grace and wife to Graig Henriques, who is a photojournalist at WCBS.”
Finch was most recently on the air at the station this past Friday, a clear example of how hardworking and dedicated she was to her job.
“Her dedication to the job was truly evident every day, every major weather event Elise reported on–many in the elements,” reported Calvi, 54, in a broadcast tribute that aired Monday morning. ”Truly every day was a good day when we were with Elise, and we will miss her dearly.”
More On Elise Finch
Finch was raised in Mount Vernon, New York, and earned a bachelor of science degree from Georgetown University. In addition to that she also received a master of science degree in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University, per her biography. She held a seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society.
Before joining local station WCBS-TV, Finch had worked as an anchor and reporter at various affiliates for CBS, FOX, and ABC. She also served as a meteorologist for NBC’s Early Today Show, MSNBC, and NBC Weather Plus.
The heartbreaking news has rocked the community, especially fellow reporters and anchors.
WCBS-TV morning co-anchor Chris Wragge tweeted, “My heart is broken. Our team will never be the same. No one matched musical wits better. I’ll miss you much.” Otis Livingston, WCBS-TV sports director added, “I am so devastated to hear of the passing of my friend and colleague @EliseFinch. She was the best. A caring soul. We were just speaking a few weeks ago about [her] beautiful daughter Grace and my new Grandson. My family’s thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends that loved her so much.” Tony Aiello, a WCBS-TV reporter also said: “Elise Finch loved music. The song of her life deserved many more verses. Her gifts were many, and so too the lives she touched. My deepest condolences to Graig and little Grace, her parents and sister, and all our CBS2 family.”
Elise Finch will be greatly missed.
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