Seattle ABC-affiliate KOMO is remembering Kathi Goertzen, a longtime anchor who died yesterday after a long fight with brain tumors. Goertzen’s longtime co-anchor, Dan Lewis, looked back at more than 25 years with the veteran anchor, calling her “the heart and soul of our news team” (video above).
KOMO presented an hourlong special, hosted by Lewis and sports director Eric Johnson, on Goertzen’s life and career last night. The pair were joined by meteorologist Steve Pool and anchor Mary Nam, who shared candid and emotional memories of Goertzen.
There has been an outpouring of support from viewers, both on the station’s website and on its Facebook page.
“Thank you for being so honest in sharing your grief and your wonderful memories with us,” one viewer commented. “You demonstrate, and have shown so clearly how Kathi demonstrated, love prevailing. And this is more important than the news. By far.”
“ABC World News” anchor Diane Sawyer also appeared on KOMO last night with a tribute to Goertzen.
“She was a fighter, a beacon, a mother, a wife, and an irreplaceable part of all of our lives,” Sawyer said. Watch: