Kathi Goertzen, longtime KOMO-TV anchor, has died.
She was 54.
Goertzen had battled brain tumors for more than a decade and was undergoing treatment after surgery earlier this year.
She began working with KOMO in 1980 and became a general assignment reporter in 1981. She served as the station’s weekend news anchor from 1982-1983, and took over as co-anchor of KOMO’s evening newscasts after that.
Goertzen covered such events as the Mount St. Helens eruption and the fall of the Berlin Wall. She earned five Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow award for her work, as well as numerous local and national journalism and community service awards.
She leaves behind her husband and two children.
We will update this thread as we learn more information. KOMO news said she died from complications of pneumonia. The brain tumors she fought for 14 years were benign, but her treatments for them were pretty brutal.
Is it necessary to remind readers and commenters that this is not an open thread, and we request that your comments are limited to memories you might have of Kathi and condolences you would like to leave to her family. Please respect her enough to do that.
UPDATE: Dan Lewis on KJR AM withMitch Levy this morning, talking about Kathi.
I have been watching the coverage of this on KOMO TV and it strikes me how amazing it is that in a city the size of Seattle, people feel so closely connected to a woman with whom they shared an evening for 3o years. I am shocked to hear of her death, as I was confident that since the tumors were all benign she would eventually beat this. I liked her because she was so smart and I always enjoyed her reporting. This is a sad day for the Northwest.
Posted by: sparky | August 13, 2012 at 05:28 PM
This woman showed amazing courage, dignity and honesty as she publicly battled her illness. My heart goes out to her family. She was one helluva role model for all of us. Be at peace, Kathi.
Posted by: RQ | August 13, 2012 at 05:41 PM
I too, was shocked and saddened to hear about this. She was the model news anchor who shone through as a caring individual and served the community. I always liked her personna and integrity .
A huge loss for the local media. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and those close to you.
Posted by: KS | August 13, 2012 at 06:39 PM
Kathi Goertzen leaves behind a tremendous legacy here in the Northwest.
I had the chance to meet her a couple times and she was always the most gracious lady.
Rest in Peace.
Posted by: Puget Sound Blathers | August 13, 2012 at 07:01 PM
Rest in peace, Kathi.
Posted by: jameschan | August 13, 2012 at 09:00 PM
Kathi Goertzen was an inspiration not only to the media community but to us all here in Seattle, as a lovely woman who showed her highest competence in not only reporting events but caring about the humanity underlying those events. She was compassionate to all, brave for her family, and remarkably honest about her situation, which inspires us - healthy or challenged - even more.
Best wishes to her colleagues, friends and family.
But mostly to her sweet soul.
Thank you, Kathi.
Posted by: suzy | August 13, 2012 at 11:41 PM
Mitch Levy is a joke.
Posted by: John | August 14, 2012 at 09:08 PM
when a government finally understands it is better for more people to pay less in taxes than for a very few people to pay a lot more...
Posted by: http://www.amerisleep.com | December 30, 2012 at 10:47 PM