I don’t know that any of us at KOMO can even begin to express how much you have meant to us in the last several days. Kathi’s death struck us to our core. Our hearts have been breaking.
Brave, strong and courageous. Kathi Goertzen was all that and more in her fight against brain tumors.
Today a piece of the fabric of my life is gone. Even though I’m putting this in words they can in no way come close to expressing the depth of the loss of one of my best friends, Kathi Goertzen.
It was the summer of 1987 and little did I know when I came to KOMO Television that I would be meeting one of the most important people in my life - a woman I would admire on the news set and off. A true professional and a role model for me - everyone else in the newsroom - and the entire Western Washington community.
If you didn't know better, you'd say she was the luckiest person you ever met. She was born into a wonderful family. She was so pretty, so talented, so proud to be a mother to Alexa and Andrea, so in love with her husband Rick.
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.
It is often said you can judge a person's character by how they treat children and younger adults. By that measure, Kathi Goertzen was the best of them.
WSU Professor Glenn Johnson remembered Kathi's positive outlook on life and said she was a fighter right to the end.
Kathi has been part of our family for years, it seems, and it's unimagineable we won't see her sweet face any more. Even when the news was less than cheerful, she managed to bring a positive light to it, to find the good where there was little else to find. We have laughed with her over the years and delighted in her amazing good cheer. What a gift to the world, this amazing young woman! Along with the wonderful KOMO team, we shall miss her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at home and at KOMO. God speed, Kathi.
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The Matthews family, Vancouver, BC
kathi was not loved in Seattle....she in our eyes was a great news caster....and it pain me dearly to see her leave us
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Chuck
Surrey BC
 @chuck What do you mean "Kathi was not loved in Seattle"? have you not seen the reaction to her death by the community. Kathi was very love by the people of Washington State, probably more so than any other news caster ever.
Kathi is our American Princess. She has the poise and confidence, unfailing love for humanity and extremely admirable work ethic similar to Diana Princess of Wales. Kathi's spirit will never fade. Her indelible mark of inspiration will continue on forever. As a community, we will continue to hold dear to your support to Seattle Children's Hospital, your daughters and husband, and look into each others eyes with the same empathy you have. God Bless you and your friends and family.Â
What a classy lady Diane Sawyer is as well as others in the profession sending in their tributes.
I have been watching Kathi, Dan, Steve and Eric since 1985 when I moved out to Washington state. I could always tell the love, the respect and the friendship you all had between each other. It was always a joy and still is to tune in and watch the KOMO cast. You all made it feel like home. I thought the world of Kathi. She was a genuine person who came across the screen each evening not as a stranger, but as someone who was always in touch, in tune with and as a most beloved friend to not only her coworkers, but to her listeners as well. She was so compassionate, fun, energetic, passionate and I can never picture her saying an unkind thing to anyone. She appeared to be someone who loved to bless, cheer and serve others. She will be dearly missed. My heart and prayers go out to her and her family. Kathi is singing with the angels and she is at home in the arms of God. We will all some day see her again and I hope I have the honor of meeting her in heaven. God bless you Kathi. My sympathies to Kathi's family, friends and her special friends at KOMO esp. Dan, Steve, and Eric. May God comfort your hearts.
Tough And Rough Summer We Loose J.p. Patches now Kathi a piece of my childhood and my Adulthood are Gone Godspeed to both their families they will be missed always and forever.
I want to share my thoughts and prayers for Kathi's family and friends. I hope you will be strenghtened knowing what an inspiration she has been and continues to be - she was truly a beautiful person inside and out. The messages she's expressed about not letting an illness define who you are and remaining positive and faithful are inspiring and really do make a difference in how I'll live my life and face adversity. Be strong and be well. Thank you for sharing your loved one and her struggles with us.
Not just Steve Raible and Jean Enerson, but even Diane Sawyer reaching out. Very nice of them all. :)
I have always loved KOMO News 4 and Kathi was a big part of that. Always a classy lady who had the heart and love for her Seattle people and people around the world. She fought a good fight and stayed classy and strong throughout it all. She was a true inspiration to us all. Prayers are with her family and friends. Prayers with her co-worker family members too. She will be missed and admired far beyond today. Rest in peace Kathi, you are now in a beautiful place and a Guardian Angel for many. No more pain!
Kathi - you were an inspiration to us all. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. My heartfelt condolences to your family and friends during this difficult time. We will not forget you.
Very Classy ABC World news.. well said.
Kathi. I grew up watching with you on our television screen every evening. You were so humble, so kind and so genuine. You will be missed. Thank you for all the smiles.Â