CBS New York is mourning the loss of colleague and Emmy-winning meteorologist Elise Finch, who died suddenly over the weekend just a few days after she began appearing on the air.
The station announced its colleague’s death on Monday. Finch, 51, had been a team member at WCBS for 16 years.
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She began her career in TV at E! Entertainment Services as a production coordinator before she worked as an anchor, reporter, and meteorologist for several stations for NBC and ABC News affiliates. Finch arrived at CBS New York in 2007 and served as the meteorologist for weekend shows. Most recently, she joined the morning news with Mary Calvi and Chris Wragge. In September, Finch joined anchor Cindy Hsu on the 9 a.m. newscast, 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,” CBS New York wrote in a tribute to Finch. “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, whose full name is Elise Dione Finch Henriques, died at a local hospital, and the cause of her death is unknown at this time, the station said.
Several of Finch’s colleagues took to social media to express their grief and remember Finch.
“Elise was fiercely loyal to those she loved, a straight shooter, a consummate professional, and made me laugh until I cried. 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,” WCBS news anchor Jessica Moore tweeted.
Elise was fiercely loyal to those she loved, a straight shooter, a consummate professional, and made me laugh until I cried. 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 pic.twitter.com/tczwxgTXGT
— Jessica Moore (@JessicaMooreTV) July 16, 2023
Wragge and other colleagues remembered Finch for her love for music.
“My heart is broken. Our team will never be the same,” Wragge tweeted. “No one matched musical wits better. I’ll miss you much.”
It is with profound sadness that we share news of the passing of our beloved colleague, Elise Finch. Our hearts are broken. Join us in keeping Elise’s husband Graig and daughter Grace in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. https://t.co/TL8pHUrlTT
— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) July 17, 2023
“The song of her life deserved many more verses. Her gifts were many, and so too the lives she touched,” WCBS reporter Tony Aiello tweeted. “My deepest condolences to Graig and little Grace, her parents and sister, and all our CBS2 family.”
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. pic.twitter.com/VASGsIrnEO— Tony Aiello (@AielloTV) July 17, 2023
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New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams also expressed her condolences to Finch’s loved ones.
“Elise served as CBS’ meteorologist for over a decade and graced thousands of households with her genius,” she tweeted. “She will truly be missed. My prayers go to her family and friends.”
