2012 Inductee
Katherine Mary Frances Walsh Flynn grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, in an environment where hard work, honesty and personal integrity were a way of life – and it is these characteristics that define Kathy’s approach to every story she covers. She earns the respect of the news photographer staff by always doing her research before heading to the site. Her interview style is to put people at ease and let them talk. She isn’t intimidated easily, but she is kind. Her communication skills are the stuff of legend – from her insistence on perfect grammar and punctuation, to her ability to change the inflection and tone of her voice to bring out the nuances of a story. She is a master at distilling complicated subject matter into an easily understandable form.
Kathy has been in the broadcasting business since graduating from the University of Delaware, with her first job in Bangor, Maine as a reporter/anchor. Reporter gigs in Nashville and Detroit followed, before she landed at KCNC in 1984, where she currently co-anchors the weekend newscast, and is a general assignment reporter. Kathy is “old school” journalism, representing the business with class both on and off camera; she cares about her profession and keeps her eye on the details. She serves as a mentor to the younger reporters and has earned the respect of her peers. Kathy is adept at covering stories related to health and medical issues, and doctors love working with her; they know she’ll represent the truth, and always with compassion. She tries, in all her stories, to find the best in people and provide hope, to leave her viewers with something worth learning.
For almost 30 years, Kathy has volunteered her talents with and for Craig Hospital, specializing in the rehabilitation of adults with catastrophic injuries. She is an advocate for the Muscular Dystrophy and Cystic Fibrosis organizations, and for United Way and Children’s Hospital among others. Kathy is an award-winning, hard-working journalist who has also managed to raise two beautiful daughters. And recently, at a time when most parents are dealing with empty-nest issues, Kathy and her husband, Bob, took on the full-time care of their young nephew, whose parents had just passed away.
Genuine. Authentic. Real. Handles challenges with grace. Trustworthy. Good friend. Wise woman. Caring mom. Consummate professional. And Kathy has a weak spot for animals; when it comes to injured or rescued animals needing help, she gets the call … even if it’s just a pudgy pet needing exercise!