Staff Report

NEW YORK — A New York City reporter who grew up in Warsaw passed away unexpectedly Wednesday evening, Feb. 10, at the age of 47.

Katherine Creag was born in Manila on Dec. 26, 1973 to Valentino and Cecilia Creag. 

Above is a screengrab from a broadcast of a story on WNYC about the life of Katherine Creag.

Creag grew up in Warsaw, attending Sacred Heart and Warsaw Community High School. She graduated from Madonna High School in Chicago, Ill., and later from New York University.

Creag, who worked as a news reporter for WNBC in New York City, had reportedly not been ill and had been working Wednesday morning. 

Her news career began at the NY1 Channel in NYC. She later worked for WTVH, WSOC-TV and KDFW. She worked for WNYW starting in March 2005. 

In 2011, Creag joined WNBC television in NYC, reporting primarily for “Today in New York,” the morning news show. She also appeared on the weekend programs, “Weekend Today in New York” and “News 4 New York.”

Creag was fondly referred to as “Kat” by colleagues and viewers. Co-workers described her as someone who was always happy and brought joy to her job every day.

WNBC-TV broadcasted a lengthy tribute that aired Thursday night.

“Kat was a light,” said Darlene Rodriguez, news anchor at Today in New York.

“She had this very special spirit and energy about her and I think she just came into your space and you were just immediately uplifted because no matter what she was always in a good mood.”

They recalled her smile, her warmth and an endless supply of energy for her job. Her Twitter profile read: “Sleep, what’s that?! I go to work when you’re coming home from the club.”

Linny Arnolt of Warsaw was friends with Creag’s mother, Cecilia, when the family resided in Warsaw. 

“Katherine was a lovely person and a smart girl. I’ve known her since she was 6 years old,” Arnolt said. “She was a go-getter.”

Arnolt recalled that even at the tender age of 6, Creag would read the newspaper aloud “because she tried to emulate the newscasters on TV.”

“She always wanted to be like them — and she made it,” Arnolt said.

In 2006, Creag married Bill Gafner. Together, they had two daughters and one son.

No cause of death has been released at this time.