Beloved NY1 presenter Ruschell Boone has died aged 48
Beloved NY1 journalist Ruschell Boone – who boldly returned to the presenter’s chair this year after a brutal battle with pancreatic cancer – died on Tuesday. she was 48
NY1, where Boone worked as a reporter and news anchor for over two decades, confirmed her death in an internal email shared with The Post.
“She was a dedicated and principled journalist to the end,” the memo said.
“In her final week with us, she was still working on ideas for her show and sharing thoughts to make NY1 an enduring beacon of truth for New Yorkers.”
She is survived by her two sons Jackson (12) and Carter (10) and her husband Todd.
“Ruschell recently shared that every day we spend with our loved ones is a victory,” the internal memo said. “With Ruschell, every moment felt victorious and every day felt special. It breaks our hearts that we can’t spend more days with her.”
In 2021, Boone was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer when nagging, vague stomach upset developed into excruciating pain and a trip to the emergency room.
A CT scan revealed the devastating news.
“I just started whining and crying and looking at my husband because I thought I misunderstood,” she told the Post after the diagnosis.
“I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m dead’ … My kids are going to grow up without a mother,” she added.
From June 2022 to March of this year, Boone retired from her presenting duties to undergo chemotherapy.
In March, she returned to the presenter’s chair at Charter Communications-owned station, telling her loyal viewers of her lunchtime news show that chemotherapy had been “so brutal” but she felt “great” again.
Her first interview on NY1 was with New York Mayor Eric Adams tweeted He said: “Our city is so fortunate to have @RuschellBoone back where it belongs – behind the moderator’s desk and holding all of us in positions of power to account.”
But just four months after being declared cancer-free, Boone took to social media to announce that her battle with cancer had worsened.
“I am very touched by everyone who has reached out to see how I am doing. Unfortunately my cancer has metastasized to my liver and I am back in treatment. It’s tough, but the chemo is working,” Boone shared on her Instagram and X accounts in late July.
“Prayers carried me through the difficult moments. Thank you for supporting me.”
Ever since she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the journalist has been a strong advocate in the fight against pancreatic cancer.
you recently posted on Instagram She shared that she led and participated in the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network’s Purple Stride Walk to Beat Pancreatic Cancer, which took place in April.
A previous post reveals that she also attended Memorial Sloan Kettering’s “Comedy vs Cancer” fundraiser.
“Ruschell’s legacy will be marked by this outstanding journalism and most importantly by her remarkable ability to socialize.
“Ruschell was literally effervescent,” the memo to employees said. “It was just a pleasure to be with her. It was these qualities that allowed her to engage deeply with New Yorkers and, behind the scenes, with her peers.”
“Ruschell will always be remembered for her service to the people of New York, especially her beloved boroughs of Queens and the Bronx. Without her, we will never be the same.”
