Heartbroken colleagues are mourning the death of CBS New York meteorologist Elise Finch, who died suddenly over the weekend at the age of 51, just days after she was on the air.
Finch had provided the weather forecast for New York for 16 years, most recently last Friday – two days before WCBS announced her death.
Emotional colleagues fought back tears this morning as they heaped praise on her in a moving tribute segment, calling her her “bright light in the morning”.
When the broadcaster announced her unexpected death, he said: “It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Elise Dione Finch Henriques.
“Elise was a gifted and accomplished professional who did her job with the utmost care. She has also been a wonderful ambassador in the community, including in her hometown of Mount Vernon.
“Elise was above all a most loving and devoted mother to her daughter Grace and wife of Graig Henriques, a photojournalist at WCBS.”
The mother of one child, Finch, died at a local hospital, but her cause of death has not been established.
Elise Finch (pictured) died suddenly over the weekend at the age of 51, just days after appearing on the air
Finch has been providing the weather forecast for New York for 16 years, most recently last Friday (pictured) – two days before WCBS announced her death
The channel said: “Elise was above all an extremely loving and devoted mother to her daughter Grace (pictured together above) and wife to Graig Henriques.”
Finch began as a weekend meteorologist in 2007 and was last seen on the morning news, where she only provided her latest forecast last Friday afternoon.
At 6.42pm last night, WCBS presenter Jessica Moore was visibly choked up as she announced the death of her colleague on television.
She echoed WCBS’ statement, adding that she and her colleagues “would join Graig and Grace in their grief.”
The presenter also said, ‘There was no one like her.’ We will all miss her dearly.’
Moore wrote on Twitter, “Elise was fiercely loyal to those she loved, a straight forward marksman, a consummate professional, and she made me laugh until I cried.”
“But most of all, she was totally 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 presenter, Chris Wragge, tweeted, “My heart is broken.” Our team will never be the same. Nobody had a better understanding of music. I will miss you very much.’
Finch was married to Graig Henriques, a photojournalist at WCBS, and they shared one daughter, Grace (picture of Graig and Grace here).
She died at a local hospital, but her cause of death has not been established (here in 2012 at a gala in her hometown of Mount Vernon, New York).
Elise Finch loved music. The song of her life would have deserved many more verses.
Her gifts were varied, as were the lives she touched.
My deepest condolences to Graig and little Grace, their parents and sister, and our entire CBS2 family. pic.twitter.com/VASGsIrnEO— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) July 17, 2023
WCBS reporter Tony Aiello also remembered Finch for her love of music, saying the “song of her life deserved a lot more verses”.
He added, “Her gifts were varied, as were the lives she touched.” My deepest condolences go out to Graig and little Grace, her parents and sister, and our entire CBS2 family.”
Finch’s colleagues and fans took to social media to express their condolences to her “beloved husband Graig (pictured here on their wedding day) and their daughter Grace.”
Finch often shared adorable pictures of her daughter on Twitter to raise awareness of her congenital heart defect, which was discovered when Finch was 20 weeks pregnant
Steve Overmyer, a WCBS sports broadcaster, tweeted, “Heartbroken we have received the devastating news today of the loss of our great friend and colleague Elise Finch.” Her smile and positive energy always brought a smile to everyone Face.”
Ali Bauman, also a reporter for WCBS, said: “We are heartbroken at the loss of our friend, colleague and role model.”
Tracie Strahan, a reporter for WNBC-TV in New York, tweeted, “Sending so much love to those who knew and loved Elise Finch…our colleagues at @CBSNewYork and of course her beloved Graig and daughter Grace.”
“It breaks my heart to learn of the sudden death of meteorologist Elise Finch.” I was an intern at @CBSNewYork 11 years ago — I’ll never forget standing up with Elise on a windy beach when she reported on people with disabilities learning to surf. Greetings to our CBS family,” said Lauren Linder, reporter for KDKA in Pennsylvania.
Fox News host Sue Guzman tweeted, “Rep Elise Finch.” So talented. What a terrible loss. prayers to their loved ones. “In memory of our beloved colleague Elise Finch.”
Finch’s sudden death leaves her grieving husband Graig and daughter Grace (pictured together above).
Finch often shared adorable pictures of her daughter on Twitter to raise awareness of her congenital heart defect, which was discovered when Finch was 20 weeks pregnant
BS New York host Alice Gainer (right) said, “I had tremendous respect for Elise’s no-nonsense attitude, intellect, talent and passionate love for her family.”
CBS New York host Alice Gainer said, “I had tremendous respect for Elise’s no-nonsense attitude, intellect, talent and passionate love for her family.”
“We shared an office and chatted about music (obvi Janet), work and most importantly, her beloved daughter Grace. ‘Thinking of Graig, Grace and family.’
She also shared several photos of her and Finch to commemorate her friend and colleague.
“The @NABJ family extends its condolences to meteorologist Elise Finch’s friends, family and fellow @WCBSTV. “Our thoughts are with you at this time,” said Dorothy Tucker of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Finch fans also took to social media to express their grief at her death. One said: “I’ve never met Elise in person but her warm presence on TV was personal and inspiring.”
“Your cheerful voice has always helped me and my husband get ready for the day. My deepest condolences go to her family and friends.’
She also shared several photos of her and Finch to commemorate her friend and colleague
Another wrote: “This is CRAZY! I just found out that Elise Finch just passed away. How sudden and disturbing. She made a weather kit today. My condolences to her family and the family at CBS NY. Wow.’
A third tweeted, “Just so sad and shocking.” She always checked her weather reports and enjoyed reporting on music, one of her joys. Our condolences go to her family and colleagues who clearly took great care of her.”
“As loyal viewers of CBS NY, we are saddened to learn of the passing of Elise Finch. She brightened our day every morning. Our condolences go out to her loved ones and her CBS family. Elise will be sorely missed by so many,” another fan posted.
Other tributes included a viewer who said she loved “watching Elise Finch in the mornings with Cindy on CBS with her sincere smile and heartfelt banter.”
Another said her late mother always enjoyed watching the meteorologist on TV, adding, “She (we) really loved you and I will never forget how you made her feel.” You will be missed. ‘
New York City Council spokeswoman Adrienne Adams also expressed her condolences: “Elise has been a CBS meteorologist for over a decade and has graced thousands of homes with her genius.”
“We will really miss her.” My prayers go out to her family and friends.’