Local Illinois news anchor, 42, dies after falling ill on vacation in Florida

NBC anchor Lesley Swick Van Ness has died at the age of 42 while vacationing with her family in Florida.

The WGEM-TV host was pronounced dead on Monday in Naples after falling ill while on holiday with her husband Tom, and two young sons.

She worked as an executive for its corporate parent, Gray Television, and has been described as a 'celebrity' in her home of Morton, Illinois.

Jennifer Dale, the vice president of recruiting at Gray Television, said in a statement: It is with a very heavy heart that we share some devastating news with you.

'Lesley Van Ness, who we have been so fortunate to have as part of the Gray family, passed away on Monday morning.

NBC anchor Lesley Swick Van Ness has died at the age of 42, and has been described as a 'force' to be reckoned with by her colleagues 

The WGEM-TV host was pronounced day on Monday in Naples after falling ill while on holiday with her husband and two young sons

'Lesley had been on vacation with her beautiful family in Florida when she fell ill and was hospitalized last Thursday.'

'Lesley and her husband Tom have two precious young boys. Please keep all of them in your prayers. We will keep everyone posted on arrangements.'

Colleagues of the journalist have described her as a 'powerful' force who 'did her job with integrity'. 

The TV anchor had suffered from a 'sudden illness' before she passed away on April 10. 

Her co-anchor of seven years, Matt Schmidt said: 'She could walk into the newsroom and instantly take over. She just had a commanding presence about her.

'Sitting on the news desk was an awesome experience.' 

A funeral will be held on April 17 at 10am in Quincy, Illinois, and friends and family are invited to attend the service. 

WGEM-TV meteorologist Brian Inman added: 'She wasn't afraid to do the dirty work and wasn't afraid to work the extra hour, especially if it was something that was really impacting the community.' 

Van Ness graduated from Illinois State University before starting her career as a reporter at WGEM-TV, the NBC local affiliate in Quincy in 2003.

In 2006, she transitioned to a weekend anchor position, and began anchoring the weekday editions of the evening and late-night newscasts in 2008

She moved over to the corporate side of the business and in 2016, she was named talent acquisition specialist for Quincy Media.

She worked as an executive for its corporate parent, Gray Television, and has been described as a 'celebrity' in her home of Morton, Illinois 

The TV anchor had suffered from a 'sudden illness' before she passed away on April 10

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