THE daughter of a beloved news anchor who died by suicide has remembered her mom as beautiful inside and out in a heart wrenching tribute.
Friends and family were stunned when Pennsylvania anchor Emily Matson, 42, was struck by a train on Monday.
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She was hit and killed in Erie County, which is a two-hour drive north of Pittsburgh, according to the the local coroner's office.
Matson was an evening anchor at NBC affiliate WICU, where worked for nearly 20 years and rose in the ranks.
"The community loves her," WICU News Director Scott MacDowell said in a tribute video.
"In 40 years of me doing this, I've never seen a community outpouring like this."
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Coworkers remembered her for her no-nonsense attitude and positivity, while her mourning daughter recognized her beauty.
In a heart wrenching post, Matson's daughter Emily Onderko shared a picture of the two of them smiling on the beach.
She made the photo her Facebook profile picture with the caption: "The most beautiful person I know, inside and out."
Friends helped to remember Matson in the comments, noting how much the news anchor loved her family.
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"Awesome pic that I hope adds to all your memories," one mourning friend commented.
Others said they were thinking of Emily in the wake of the tragedy and were deeply sorry for her loss.
"Sending a big hug and many prayers Emily," another person wrote.
"I pray that God wraps his loving arms around you and comforts you. Keep all the good memories in your heart."
'ALWAYS UPBEAT'
Right after graduating college, Matson started working for WICU as a crime reporter.
She dove headfirst into the world of journalism and was able to create a good rapport with police officers in the community.
Matson ended up marrying Erie police officer Ryan Onderko.
"She was always upbeat," said Erie Police Chief Dan Spizarny, who was the lieutenant with the Criminal Investigation Division when Matson began reporting crime.
"She never had a bad day. No matter how bad the news was that day, she always left making you feel good. You would never see her in a bad mood."
Others remembered Matson as being a capable person who was always dependable in the newsroom.
"Emily was such a presence in the newsroom and in the studio, and I can't count the number of times that I would stop by her desk to talk to her or just listen to her talk to others," meteorologist Sara Tonk wrote on social media.
"She always had a way of drawing people in and making them feel welcome, and when I first started at ENN she made sure I was included in the Secret Santa gift exchange and got me a sign that says 'Let it Snow… Somewhere Else - Erie, PA.'
"She made me, a stranger and a baby in the industry feel included and was always there with advice or ideas if I needed them."
Matson is survived by her husband, their son Kyle, and her daughter Emily.
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She was preceded in death by her daughter, Kayla, according to her obituary.
Her funeral mass will take place on Saturday at 10 am.
