Local News Anchor Mark Spain Dies 3 Weeks After Cancer Diagnosis: ‘My First True Love,’ His Widow Says

“He brought so much joy, compassion, love and strength into our lives,” the widow of the Virginia-based journalist said in a statement

Mark Spain, a popular and award-winning local television news journalist from Virginia, has died just three weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 64 years old.

In a Facebook update posted on Thursday, Dec. 19, Lynita Spain, the widow of the ABC affiliate WSET anchor, announced that her husband died the day prior, on Dec. 18. “Our family along with the city of Lynchburg lost a man of hope, someone who loves his city and stood for equality, treating others with respect and kindness,” she wrote in a statement.

She added, ”He was a husband, father, brother, friend and a positive light in the community. My first true love. He brought so much joy, compassion, love and strength into our lives, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who knew him.”

“It’s surreal that it was exactly three weeks ago yesterday that he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer,” Lynita continued. “Our family was there with him from the beginning of the fight to the finish, until his very last breath! He fought hard, he stayed positive throughout the battle and wasn’t afraid. We have comfort in knowing he is no longer suffering, it was not easy watching him fight for his life and battle this disease, but he was not alone., and neither were we.”

In a tribute article, WSET, which also confirmed Mark’s death, remembered their colleague as a “champion of the community” who was never afraid to ask tough questions and interviewed local leaders. “Mark dug deep into important issues for Virginians,” the station wrote. ”Things like capital punishment, vaccines, mask mandates during the pandemic, gun laws — there was no difficult subject he was afraid to face if it meant fighting for a story that needed to be told.”

WSET also cited Mark’s contributions to the community outside of his work at the station. “He helped raise $75,000 for Jubilee’s new media center just this summer. He helped mentor a young man through ABC13’s partnership with Big Brothers, Big Sisters. He partnered with the Salvation Army to ring the bell and raise money for that organization,” the station reported, adding, “He even took on the task of growing a mustache for Mustaches for Kids.”

Mark joined WSET, which is based in Lynchburg, Va., in 2015. Before that, he worked at First Coast News in Jacksonville, Fla., beginning in 2000, the station reported.

WSET also noted that Spain’s journalism career took him to Indianapolis and Cleveland in addition to Jacksonville and Lynchburg. “His excellent journalism was prize-winning; throughout his time at ABC13 he took home multiple awards,” the station wrote.

First Coast News general manager Tim Thomas also paid tribute to Mark, saying, “We are deeply saddened to hear of Mark’s passing. He always worked to better the First Coast in every story he produced. Our thoughts are with his wife Lynita and his three children during this difficult time.”

On his Facebook page, Mark usually began his posts with the greeting, “Hi sunshines!” In a Dec. 9th update, he expressed gratitude to the public for their support towards him and his family amid his illness. “Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer is something I would have never imagined for myself,” he wrote. “I’ll begin chemo on December 16 and we will see how things go.”

“My plan is to get through this and become a Cancer Survivor,” he later added. “So, please keep the prayers and positive vibes coming.”

In her Dec. 19th update from the Spain Family, Lynita remembered her husband as a loving family man. “He also loved his job and felt so blessed to do what he did for a living. He was one hell of a journalist and took his job very seriously. He was a pillar of the community and people loved to share how much they love and enjoyed watching him on the news,” she wrote.

She also thanked her followers for their support. “You have all been amazing and a true village!” Lynita wrote. “I can’t thank you all enough for all of the prayers, cards, flowers, blankets, texts, comments and checking in on us.”

“This new journey, one I never thought I’d be on, as a single parent will be a new and challenging one,” she continued. “God is walking along side us, guiding and protecting us. Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.”

A GoFundMe has been created to help Spain’s family. As of Thursday, Dec. 26, it has raised over $28,000.