A beloved television star and Emmy award-winning newscaster based in New York City lost her battle with cancer on Sunday evening at the age of 48, NY1 announced.
Ruschell Boone, who returned to the NY1 anchor chair after her first battle with cancer last year, announced that her pancreatic cancer had metastasized in her liver in late July.
Boone is survived by her husband, Todd, and her two sons Jackson, 12, and Carter, 9.
“She was a dedicated and principled journalist to the very end,” a memo to NY1 staff said.
“In her last week with us, she was still working on ideas for her show and sharing thoughts for making NY1 a continued beacon of truth for New Yorkers.”
“Ruschell recently shared that every day we spend with our loved ones is a victory,” the memo continued. “Ruschell made every moment feel victorious and every day feel special. We’re heartbroken we won’t get to have more days with her.”
“Ruschell’s legacy will be defined by that outstanding journalism and, more than anything, her remarkable ability to connect,” the memo to staff said.
“Ruschell was effervescent in every sense of the word. She was, simply put, a joy to be around. It was those traits that allowed her to deeply engage with New Yorkers, as well as behind the scenes with her colleagues,” the memo continued.
“Ruschell will always be remembered for her service to the people of New York, especially her beloved boroughs of Queens and the Bronx. We will not be the same without her.”
Her social media accounts have been largely silent since her July announcement that her cancer had returned.
But pinned to the top of her social media was a video of Ruschell being caught on camera at an NHL game being playful with her son.
https://twitter.com/RuschellBoone/status/1452038323309002755
We have some deeply sad and personal news to report.
Ruschell Boone, an Emmy award-winning journalist and our beloved colleague here at NY1, passed away Sunday due to complications related to pancreatic cancer. She was 48. https://t.co/ZBa8IHdYT2
— Spectrum News NY1 (@NY1) September 5, 2023