Kathi Goertzen (photo courtesy of http://www.komonews.com)
SEATTLE (AP/CBS Seattle) — We’re sad to report the passing of the iconic Seattle television news anchor Kathi Goertzen. The veteran journalist lost a lengthy battle with brain tumors.
She was first diagnosed with a benign brain tumor about 12 years ago. Despite multiple surgeries and radiation treatments, the tumor continued to grow back, intertwining with her facial nerves and paralyzing her face.
She documented her illness and treatments in appearances on KOMO, and she launched a foundation dedicated to brain tumor research.
(The following article is courtesy of KOMO News and can be found here.)
By Holly Gauntt, News Director, KOMO News
Our co-worker, our angel, our precious friend, Kathi Goertzen, died today, surrounded by her loving family.
The long fight against the tumors that have ravaged her brain is over. She is at peace now, comfortable and surrounded by all that is good.
Please know, as we do, that your love enveloped her. It strengthened and encouraged her.
She loved your compassion and concern more than you’ll ever know. You helped her fight a valiant fight. We want to thank each and every one of you for that.
You truly made a difference in our friend’s life. Kathi spoke of her own mortality with courage. She was a woman
of great faith who was confident in the knowledge that her life on this earth was but one chapter in her journey. Kathi is with God now, of that we are sure.
There is no more pain and suffering. We hope you find comfort in the words she spoke when talking about this day:
“I’m not afraid to die. I have a great belief, a great faith there’s more. There’s more to me, there’s more to this life.”
