CBS New York meteorologist Elise Finch dies at age 51 as heartbroken colleagues mourn loss
Heartbroken colleagues are mourning the death of CBS New York meteorologist Elise Finch, who died suddenly this weekend at age 51, just days after appearing on the air.
Finch had delivered 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 praised her in a touching tribute describing her as their “bright light in the morning”
Announcing her unexpected death, the station said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Elise Dione Finch Henriques.
“Elise was a gifted and consummate professional who did her job with great care. She was also a great ambassador to the community, including her hometown of Mount Vernon.
“Most of all, Elise was a very loving and devoted mother to her daughter Grace and wife of Graig Henriques, who is a WCBS photojournalist.”
Mother-of-one Finch died at a local hospital, but her cause of death has not been determined.
Elise Finch (pictured) died suddenly over the weekend at the age of 51, just days after appearing on the air
Finch has provided the weather forecast for New York for 16 years, most recently last Friday (pictured) — two days before WCBS announced her death
The station said: ‘Most of all, Elise was a fiercely loving and devoted mother to her daughter Grace (pictured together above) and wife to Graig Henriques’
Finch first started as a weekend meteorologist in 2007 and was last on the morning news, with her last forecast last Friday afternoon.
At 6:42 p.m. last night, WCBS host and Jessica Moore visibly choked on air as she announced the death of her on-air colleague.
She echoed WCBS’s statement, adding that she and her colleagues joined Graig and Grace in their grieving process.
The anchor also said, “There was no one like her. We’re all going to miss her very much.’
On Twitter, Moore wrote, “Elise was fiercely loyal to those she loved, a straight shooter, a consummate professional, and made me laugh until I cried.
Most of 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, tweeted, “My heart is broken. Our team will never be the same again. No one matched musical sense better. I will miss you very much.’
Finch was married to Graig Henriques, who is a WCBS photojournalist, and they shared a daughter, Grace (Graig and Grace pictured here)
She died at a local hospital, but her cause of death has not been determined (pictured here in 2012 at a gala in her hometown of Mount Vernon, New York)
Elise Finch loved music. The song of her life deserved many more verses.
Her gifts were many, and so were the lives she touched.
My deepest condolences to Craig and little Grace, her 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 many, and so were the lives she touched. My deepest condolences to Craig and little Grace, her parents and sister, and our entire CBS2 family.”
Finch’s colleagues and fans shared their condolences for her “beloved husband Craig (pictured here on their wedding day) and daughter Grace” on social media
Finch often shared adorable photos of her daughter on Twitter to draw attention to her congenital heart defect, which was discovered when Finch was 20 weeks pregnant
Steve Overmyer, a WCBS sports broadcaster, shared on Twitter: “Today we are heartbroken by the devastating news that we have lost our wonderful friend and colleague Elise Finch. Her smile and positive energy always put a smile on everyone’s face.’
Ali Bauman, also a reporter for WCBS, said, “Heartbroken by 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 adored Elise Finch… our colleagues at @CBSNewYork and of course her beloved Graig and daughter Grace.”
Heartbroken to hear of the sudden passing of Meteorologist, Elise Finch. 11 years ago I was an intern at @CBSNewYork – I’ll never forget practicing stand-ups on a windy beach with Elise as she covered people with disabilities learning how to surf. Love to our CBS family,” said Lauren Linder, a reporter for KDKA in Pennsylvania.
Fox News anchor Sue Guzman tweeted, “Rest in peace, Elise Finch. So talented. Such a terrible loss. Prayers for her 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 photos of her daughter on Twitter to draw attention to her congenital heart defect, which was discovered when Finch was 20 weeks pregnant
BS New York anchor Alice Gainer (right) said: ‘I respected Elise’s no-nonsense attitude, intellect, talent and fierce love for her family’
CBS New York host Alice Gainer said, “I had tremendous respect for Elise’s no-nonsense attitude, intellect, talent and fierce love for her family.
“We shared an office and talked about music (obvi Janet), work and especially her beloved daughter Grace. Thinking of Craig, Grace & family.’
She also shared several photos of her and Finch in memory of her friend and colleague.
“The @NABJ family extends their condolences to meteorologist Elise Finch’s friends, family and @WCBSTV colleagues. Our thoughts are with you at this time,” said Dorothy Tucker of the National Association of Black Journalists.
Fans of Finch also took to social media to share their heartbreak over her death, with one saying, “I’ve never met Elise in person, but her warm presence on TV was personal and inspiring.
‘Her cheerful voice always helped me and my husband with the preparations for the day. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.”
She also shared several photos of her and Finch in memory of her friend and colleague
Another wrote, “This is CRAZY! I just got word that Elise Finch just passed away. How sudden and unnerving. She made a weather set today. My condolences to her family and the CBS NY family. Wow.’
A third tweeted: “So sad and shocking. Always watched her weather reports and enjoyed her coverage of music, one of her delights. My condolences to her family and colleagues, who clearly cared deeply about her.”
“As loyal viewers of CBS NY, we are saddened by the passing of Elise Finch. She brightened up our day from every morning. Our condolences to her loved ones and her CBS family. Elise will be sorely missed by so many,” another fan wrote.
More tributes included a viewer saying she loved “watching Elise Finch on CBS morning with Cindy with their genuine smiles and warm banter.”
Another said her late mother always enjoyed watching the meteorologist on TV, adding, “She (we) really loved you and I’ll never forget how you made her feel.” You’re missed.’
NYC Council President Adrienne Adams also offered her condolences: “Elise was CBS’ meteorologist for more than a decade and graced thousands of households with her brilliance.
‘She will be truly missed. My prayers go out to her family and friends.”