Elise Finch has reportedly passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 16, 2023, at the age of 51 years old. May her soul rest in peace.
Elise was a skilled reporter and meteorologist who worked at CBS New York for 16 years. She shared her skills with us and you during that time.
Elise was proud to be from Mount Vernon, which made her job as a reporter covering the towns that had a big impact on her life even more special. She met her husband at CBS New York and started a family.
As we honor Elise’s life, our thoughts are with her husband, Graig Henriques, a photographer for CBS New York, and their 6-year-old daughter, Gracie, as well as Elise’s parents, sister, and their children.
Elise Finch is known as a shining star in the CBS New York newsroom, which she called her “second family.”
She was a scientist with a master’s degree who was a bright spot. She knew what she was talking about and helped us understand it so we could stay safe. She would break things down in a refreshingly honest way. She told us the weather and was always ready with a different point of view.
Last Friday, Elise was on the air. Her death was sudden and out of the blue, and we are all still trying to figure out how this could happen to such a young, healthy lady.
The winner of many awards was born in Mount Vernon and went to high school there. She went to Georgetown University and got a Bachelor of Science degree. While there, she won the coveted “President’s Award.” She went to Syracuse University and got a Master of Science in broadcast news.
Read more about how we miss our dear coworker Elise Finch
But for the rest of her life, pink and green would be her main colors. She wrote about the “Divine 9,” which are the National Pan Hellenic Council’s four African-American sororities and five fraternities.
“For some people, being a Black Greek is like having a family. For me, that’s the case. Elise once said, “My mother, my sister, my niece, and I are all members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.”
She believed in AKA’s commitment to family, school, a strong friendship, and service to the community.
Elise married her true love, Henriques, at Untermyer Gardens in the summer of 2013. It was a beautiful wedding. They met at CBS New York, where they both worked. On her birthday, their beautiful daughter Gracie sent her mom birthday wishes.
“Happy birthday. That day, Gracie said, “I hope you have a very, very, good, good, good day.”
Elise gave us all good times during her 16 years at CBS New York. She had that smile whether she was doing the weather or helping with our station’s charity events, like the Susan G. Komen “Sisters for the Cure” event. She was our shining star.