An Emmy award-winning CBS journalist who was a “wonderful ambassador in the community” died unexpectedly over the weekend. She was 51.
Elise Finch, who joined CBS New York’s weather team in April 2007, died at a local hospital. Her cause of death has not been revealed.
“Elise has been a friend and team member at WCBS for 16 years,” the station wrote in a statement announcing her death. “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. 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’s last appearance on the newscast was on Friday and was considered to be a cherished coworker and colleague.
“Elise was fiercely loyal to those she loved, a straight shooter, a consummate professional, and made me laugh until I cried,” Jessica Moore, a WCBS anchor wrote on Twitter. “But above all she was completely devoted to her family, especially her daughter Grace. I love you so much, my friend. Heaven now has an angel like no other.”
Another WCBS anchor Chris Wragge also wrote: “My heart is broken. Our team will never be the same. No one matched musical wits better. I’ll miss you much.”
Finch was previously a meteorologist for the Early Today Show at NBC before joining CBS in 2007. She has also worked for MSNBC and NBC Weather Plus and was a former weekend weather anchor at the CBS affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona. She also served as an anchor and reporter at CBS and FOX affiliates in Youngstown, Ohio, and the ABC affiliate in Austin, Minnesota.
The accomplished journalist began her career as a production coordinator for special projects and live events for E! Entertainment.
Born Elise Dione Finch Henriques in Mount Vernon, N.Y., she graduated from Mount Vernon High School and earned a bachelor in science from Georgetown University where she was a recipient of the prestigious President’s Awards. She was then awarded a master’s in broadcast journalism from Syracuse University and completed an intensive broadcast meteorology program at Mississippi State University. She held the seal of approval from the American Meteorological Society.
From the entire staff at Shine My Crown, rest in eternal peace, Elise.
