For 16 years, she was a friend and team member of CBS News & Stations’ East Coast flagship, WCBS-2 in New York. Now, colleagues and competitors are pausing to pay their respects to Elise Finch, who has died at the age of 51.
Elise Dione Finch Henriques first joined WCBS-2 in 2007, taking a role as a weekend meteorologist. In September, she became the lead meteorologist on the 9am newscast, joining Cindy Hsu.
A native of Mount Vernon, N.Y., in Westchester County, Finch’s death was unexpected, WCBS-2 noted. She died at an unnamed local hospital; the cause of death was not revealed.
Before joining WCBS-2, Finch spent two years at MSNBC as a meteorologist. From 1995-1997, she was also a Production Coordinator for E! Entertainment Television.
Finch holds a Master’s Degree from Syracuse University’s acclaimed School of Journalism and holds a Bachelor’s in Marketing from Georgetown University.
Among those paying tribute to Finch on social media is WCBS-2 Executive Producer Chris Sobel, who shared, “Elise made me laugh and smile at times when I needed it. Our talks about music were a bright spot in a tough day. Mornings just won’t be the same. Please keep her family in your thoughts.”
On Facebook, Sobel added, “Elise Finch’s biggest superpower was her authenticity. She was as real as real gets. She made me laugh and smile at times when I needed it. Our talks about music were often a bright spot in a tough day. We were literally just talking about coverage plans for Hip Hop’s 50th. I’ll miss her, and my mornings just won’t be the same.”
Sobel also noted that he attended the National Association of Hispanic Journalists convention in Miami on behalf of WCBS-2 and sent Finch “a silly little selfie” from the CBS Booth where, behind Sobel, was video of her on a big monitor. “Her text back was sweet, full of life, full of emojis, so I’m going to save it to remember her. I can’t believe that’s the last time I’ll ever talk to her. Please know how much she cared about our viewers. Her greatest joy was her daughter, so please keep her family in your thoughts.”
