Kathi Goertzen, longtime Seattle news anchor (KOMO-TV) dies at 54. - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AKA · 08-13-2012, 10:11 PM

After a nearly 15-year courageous battle with brain tumors that eventually left her unable to perform the job she loved, Kathi Goertzen died today. She was an inspiration to many of us who are chronically ill, teaching us to not let our diseases dictate who we are or how we live our lives.

More from KOMO: http://www.komonews.com/kathi-goertzen

Other Seattle media outlets pay tribute:

KING-TV: http://www.king5.com/news/Kathi_Goertzen-165860206.html
KIRO-TV: http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/komo...en-dies/nQ9mD/
KCPQ: http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-long...0,671090.story

Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ertzen14m.html
Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/...es-3785036.php

Here's a tribute to/profile of Kathi from about a year and a half ago, as she was about to embark on yet another surgery:

Schmoopie · 08-14-2012, 01:11 AM

Thank you for posting this, Brad. I knew this day was coming, but of course when it happens, you're never prepared for it. She will always have a special place in my heart b/c when my husband and I first moved to Seattle in 1996, all I would watch is KOMO 4 news and I just loved her and Dan Lewis together. Over the years I've gotten away from watching the local news every night and now I hardly ever watch it. I either get my news from the Internet or on this board. Or I will watch the noon news at work on my lunch break. But still I can't imagine what it must have been like living with two brain tumors and still being so courageous. She was truly an inspiration and will be missed.

Brad Russ · 08-14-2012, 06:47 AM

Wow, so incredibly sad.

I didn't know of her, but to be so young, and to fight such a courageous battle for so long, how inspiring. I know that Seattle must be mourning deeply right now. My thoughts and prayers go out to her, her family, her friends, and her co workers at this very difficult time. Rest In Peace!!!

Marvo301 · 08-14-2012, 01:47 PM

Kathi Goertzen. I don't watch american newscasts often but when I do it's usually KOMO news that I watch. So Kathi was a familiar face and voice to me and I was very inspired that she continued to work as long as she did while battling her disease with grace, dignity, and courage.

ABlairican Pie · 08-14-2012, 05:19 PM

That's very sad. She had cancer for a very long time. I remember back in 1999 when it was reported she had it. I was surprised she lasted as long as she did.

She was such a fixture on KOMO-4 News, and now she's left a void few people can fill.

Schmoopie · 08-15-2012, 05:52 AM

I didn't' get to read it all but this morning there was a beautiful tribute to her on the front page of The Seattle Times that had a statement from Governor Gregoire. I thought that was wonderful that they included her comments. I'll post the link as soon as I can.

Brad Russ · 08-15-2012, 02:54 PM

I have spent the last 24 hours watching videos of her. What an amazing woman she was. There was a great tribute someone made on youtube of her to the song "Angel" by Sarah Mclachlan. I also watched the Komo tribute special to her, and cried all the way through. Diane Sawyer paid tribute, even people from rival news networks. Her alma mater put up a picture of her with their mascot on the home page of their website. At the end of the special, one of the female anchors who looked up to her started crying, which made the rest of them cry. The ending with her daughter singing was beautiful, and had me in tears
.

Thanks for sharing this Brad!! Like I said, I didn't know of her until I read this, but it has been a pleasure finding out more about this amazing woman.

Janice · 08-15-2012, 08:51 PM

That's very sad. I watched a couple of the videos. She was a very nice woman who wanted to live so badly. She loved her family and career.

AKA · 08-16-2012, 03:30 PM

Yeah. I caught wind of her story some time ago and have been following her progress ever since. She was a remarkable woman, and very brave. She just kept going, even after what all those surgeries did to her face. She should be an inspiration to everyone, not just the chronically ill.

Family Ties Forever! · 08-16-2012, 11:27 PM

That's sad.

RIP.

Schmoopie · 08-19-2012, 08:46 PM

They had a big public memorial service for her at Fischer Plaza today, which is next to the Space Needle and where the KOMO TV headquarters are.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/...hi-3799662.php

08-13-2012, 10:11 PM	#1
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Kathi Goertzen, longtime Seattle news anchor (KOMO-TV) dies at 54. After a nearly 15-year courageous battle with brain tumors that eventually left her unable to perform the job she loved, Kathi Goertzen died today. She was an inspiration to many of us who are chronically ill, teaching us to not let our diseases dictate who we are or how we live our lives. More from KOMO: http://www.komonews.com/kathi-goertzen Other Seattle media outlets pay tribute: KING-TV: http://www.king5.com/news/Kathi_Goertzen-165860206.html KIRO-TV: http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/komo...en-dies/nQ9mD/ KCPQ: http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-long...0,671090.story Seattle Times: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ertzen14m.html Seattle Post-Intelligencer: http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/...es-3785036.php Here's a tribute to/profile of Kathi from about a year and a half ago, as she was about to embark on yet another surgery:
	Last edited by AKA; 08-13-2012 at 10:57 PM.

08-14-2012, 01:11 AM	#2
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Thank you for posting this, Brad. I knew this day was coming, but of course when it happens, you're never prepared for it. She will always have a special place in my heart b/c when my husband and I first moved to Seattle in 1996, all I would watch is KOMO 4 news and I just loved her and Dan Lewis together. Over the years I've gotten away from watching the local news every night and now I hardly ever watch it. I either get my news from the Internet or on this board. Or I will watch the noon news at work on my lunch break. But still I can't imagine what it must have been like living with two brain tumors and still being so courageous. She was truly an inspiration and will be missed.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

08-14-2012, 06:47 AM	#3
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	Wow, so incredibly sad. I didn't know of her, but to be so young, and to fight such a courageous battle for so long, how inspiring. I know that Seattle must be mourning deeply right now. My thoughts and prayers go out to her, her family, her friends, and her co workers at this very difficult time. Rest In Peace!!!
	__________________ St. John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Currently my favorite song.

08-14-2012, 01:47 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Kathi Goertzen. I don't watch american newscasts often but when I do it's usually KOMO news that I watch. So Kathi was a familiar face and voice to me and I was very inspired that she continued to work as long as she did while battling her disease with grace, dignity, and courage.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

08-14-2012, 05:19 PM	#5
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	RIP Kathi Goertzen. That's very sad. She had cancer for a very long time. I remember back in 1999 when it was reported she had it. I was surprised she lasted as long as she did. She was such a fixture on KOMO-4 News, and now she's left a void few people can fill.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

08-15-2012, 05:52 AM	#6
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I didn't' get to read it all but this morning there was a beautiful tribute to her on the front page of The Seattle Times that had a statement from Governor Gregoire. I thought that was wonderful that they included her comments. I'll post the link as soon as I can.

08-15-2012, 02:54 PM	#7
Brad Russ Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 17, 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 10,085	I have spent the last 24 hours watching videos of her. What an amazing woman she was. There was a great tribute someone made on youtube of her to the song "Angel" by Sarah Mclachlan. I also watched the Komo tribute special to her, and cried all the way through. Diane Sawyer paid tribute, even people from rival news networks. Her alma mater put up a picture of her with their mascot on the home page of their website. At the end of the special, one of the female anchors who looked up to her started crying, which made the rest of them cry. The ending with her daughter singing was beautiful, and had me in tears . Thanks for sharing this Brad!! Like I said, I didn't know of her until I read this, but it has been a pleasure finding out more about this amazing woman.

08-15-2012, 08:51 PM	#8
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	That's very sad. I watched a couple of the videos. She was a very nice woman who wanted to live so badly. She loved her family and career.

08-16-2012, 03:30 PM	#9
AKA Member Forum Star Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Posts: 15,746	Yeah. I caught wind of her story some time ago and have been following her progress ever since. She was a remarkable woman, and very brave. She just kept going, even after what all those surgeries did to her face. She should be an inspiration to everyone, not just the chronically ill.

08-16-2012, 11:27 PM	#10
Family Ties Forever! Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Keaton residence Posts: 10,214	That's sad. RIP.
	__________________ Jenny

08-19-2012, 08:46 PM	#11
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	They had a big public memorial service for her at Fischer Plaza today, which is next to the Space Needle and where the KOMO TV headquarters are. http://www.seattlepi.com/local/komo/...hi-3799662.php