Michele Marsh, a long-time New York City TV anchor, died on Tuesday at 63, after a seven-year battle with breast cancer, at her home in South Kent, Connecticut, The New York Times reported.
Family members confirmed the news in a statement, explaining that Marsh’s health had started deteriorating about two weeks ago.
Her son, John Paschall, said the cancer had spread to her brain so they decided to bring Marsh home.
“She fought an incredible fight, and she beat all the odds against her,” he said, according to the New York Daily News.
“The doctors thought she wouldn't see me graduate and wouldn’t see me get married, and she did both of those things.”
Marsh paved the way for future generations of women journalists after she joined a handful of females to become a news anchor over 30 years ago, ABC News noted.
She launched her career at 25 and went on to become a household name at New York’s top TV stations, WCBS and WNBC.
Since news of her death broke, outpourings of grief have flooded social media.
“This loss is particularly difficult during a month in which so many of us are working to advocate in support of breast cancer awareness,” said Nancy G. Brinker, a well-known cancer advocate, in a post to Facebook.
“My heart and prayers go out to Michelle’s family and her many fans in the tri-state area.”
CBS co-host Anthony Mason shared his recollections of Marsh on Twitter.
“My heart sank today to hear we lost Michele Marsh, a colleague at @WCBSTV in the 80s,” he posted.
“One of biggest stars in golden era of NYC TV news.”