RICHMOND, Va. -- The grind of the daily news does not stop, but on Friday staffers at WTVR paused to remember and honor longtime anchor Stephanie Rochon. Friends and family gathered in the newsroom where she worked in for 16 years.
Smiles and tears were present as loved ones reminisced nearly three months after Stephanie lost her battle with cancer.
Visitors stopped by Steph’s empty desk adorned with flowers and ribbon.
“I thank Stephanie for the friendship she gave me and everyone here at the station,” CBS 6 reporter Shelby Brown said.
Loved ones shared stories and memories of WTVR’s beloved 6 and 11 p.m. anchor.
“What I’m taking away from this celebration of Steph is her work ethic. Her values,” CBS 6 anchor Bill Fitzgerald said. “It is her sense of what it is we are supposed to be doing.”
Steph may be gone physically, but the dedicated journalist’s spirit carries on. From this day forward the place where she perfected her craft with passion, dedication and tenacity will forever be named in her memory. A bronze plaque hangs in the newsroom named in her honor.
“To have this memorial here and to have this plaque is to remind us the journalists and when we walk into the newsroom is that we should pay attention to the details like Stephanie,” CBS 6 anchor Reba Hollingsworth said. “She would have loved everything that happened today.”
Steph’s widower, Jeff Moten, said the gathering demonstrates what kind of impact his late wife had on people during her short time on this earth.
“She loved her job immensely," Moten said. "She loved the people. She loved the city and most of all she loved the station. So it is a very fitting memory that she will always be a part of CBS 6 Channel 6.”
The bronze plaque reads:
Stephanie Rochon Memorial Newsroom. In recognition of her passion, pride, advocacy and professionalism during 16 years of service to WTVR and the people of Central Virginia, we dedicate this newsroom in memory of Stephanie Rochon. 1965-2015
