Ana Orsini, a news anchor for KOLD 13 in Tucson, Arizona, passed away last week from a brain aneurysm at the young age of 28. The sad news was delivered by her fellow anchors, Tyler Butler and Carsyn Currier, during a live broadcast.
Dan Marries, an evening anchor at KOLD 13 News, wrote a tribute to Orsini on Facebook, praising her wisdom, intelligence, compassion and her infectious love for animals.
Orsini was a Denver, Colorado native who started her college education at the University of Arizona, before transferring to Texas A&M University. She graduated with a degree in journalism, and a double minor in communication and sports management.
Her career in television began in Lubbock, Texas in 2018, where she held the roles of anchor and reporter. During her time there, she initiated a “Pet of the Day” segment to assist local shelter animals in finding homes. Prior to relocating to Tucson, she worked for three years as a morning and midday anchor in Medford, Oregon.
Orsini’s co-workers characterized her as a unique individual who had the ability to make everyone around her feel valued and special.
Co-anchor Carsyn Currier wrote in a social media post, “To know Ana was to LOVE her. She made everyone around her feel so special, heard and understood.”
At KOLD 13 News, where she started in June 2023, Orsini was known for her signature phrase “Let the women do the work!” during broadcasts. Her colleagues remember her as an individual with immense empathy who regularly supported new staff and mentored younger journalists.
Orsini’s passion for animals was not limited to her professional life. She was a proud owner of a rescue dog named Harley, and was known for her commitment to helping shelter animals throughout her career.
The KOLD 13 News team paid tribute to Orsini’s memory by wearing pink during broadcasts and sharing memorable moments from her time at the station. They emphasized her love for true crime podcasts, college football, and her unique sense of humor.
Orsini was part of a family with a wide range of collegiate ties – her twin sisters were UCLA cheerleaders, while her parents were alumni of the University of Arizona. She is survived by her sisters, parents, and her rescue dog.
In memory of Orsini, her family has asked for donations to be made to local animal shelters, reflecting her love for dogs. The station aired a tribute video featuring clips of Orsini interacting with rescue dogs and her moments behind the anchor desk.
