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Gwen Ifill, the longtime news anchor on PBS, has died after a battle with cancer, the network confirmed in a sad statement. The journalist was 61 years old. The WETA president and CEO, Sharon Percy Rockefeller, wrote in an email to staff at the public TV station Monday: “I am very sad to tell you that our dear friend and beloved colleague Gwen Ifill passed away today in hospice care in Washington.” “I spent an hour with her this morning and she was resting comfortably, surrounded by loving family and friends…” “Earlier today, I conveyed to Gwen the devoted love and affection of all of us at WETA/NewsHour.” “Let us hold Gwen and her family even closer now in our hearts and prayers.” A mainstay at the network on PBS’ NewsHour and Washington Week, Ifill had been absent from election coverage last week. Not surprisingly, her ongoing health issues were the reason; Gwen leave of absence back in May to get medical treatment.  PBS NewsHour executive producer Sara Just said: “Gwen was a standard bearer for courage, fairness and integrity in an industry going through seismic change.” “She was a mentor to so many across the industry and her professionalism was respected across the political spectrum.” “She was a journalist’s journalist and set an example for all around her. So many people in the audience felt that they knew and adored her.” Just continued her statement mourning the loss of the journalist: “She had a tremendous combination of warmth and authority.” “She was stopped on the street routinely by people who just wanted to give her a hug and considered her a friend after years of seeing her on TV.” “We will forever miss her terribly.” In honor of her life’s work, Ifill was set to receive the 2016 John Chancellor Award from Columbia University this Wednesday. A spokesperson for the school did not immediately have a comment, but will likely issue one in the wake of her passing soon. Ifill, who was born in New York, graduated from Simmons College in 1977, before beginning her career at the Boston Herald-American . She held reporting positions at The Washington Post, The New York Times and NBC before joining PBS back in 1999. Gwen moderated the 2004 vice-presidential debate between Dick Cheney and John Edwards and the 2008 vice-presidential debate. That showdown between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin became one of the most watched and talked-about debates in history. She also moderated a Democratic primary debate between Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last year. Gwen will be pissed. View Slideshow: Celebrities Who Passed Away in 2016: Gone, But Not Forgotten

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Gwen Ifill Dies; Longtime PBS Journalist Was 61