An NBC news anchor died earlier this week after falling suddenly ill while vacationing with her family in Florida.
42-year-old Lesley Swick Van Ness worked as an executive for Gray Television and an anchor for WGEM-TV, the NBC local affiliate in Quincy, Illinois.
She died Monday in Naples, Florida after she fell ill on Thursday and spent the following few days at a hospital.
“In the eyes of a small community she was a celebrity,” Tom and Neat Brower said in an obituary.
The late journalist leaves behind her husband Tom and two young sons.
“She was a powerful personality,” former WGEM-TV anchor Matt Schmidt said of his late colleague.
“She could walk into the newsroom and instantly take over. She just had a commanding presence about her.”
He continued: “Sitting on the news desk was an awesome experience.”
WGEM-TV meteorologist Brian Inman added: “She wasn't afraid to do the dirty work and wasn't afraid to work the extra hour, especially if it was something that was really impacting the community.”
