We are incredibly sad to report the loss of a member of our WBZ family. Mish Michaels, who was part of our weather team for 7 years, has passed away.
Misch was a friendly, dependable, inquisitive meteorologist who loved science. She began forecasting weather in the 1990s and joined us at WBZ in 2001. Misch chased tornadoes, flew into storms, and lighted up our lives—always sharing his enthusiasm for science and weather.
To us, she was a friend. But Misch was much more. In a statement posted to Facebook, Misch's husband called her a devoted mother, wife, daughter, aunt, friend and stellar horseman.
Mish had the ability to light up every room of hers, and we at WBZ are sending our love to her family.
In the words of Mich's friend and collaborator, WBZ-TV executive weather producer Terry Eliasson:
For the first time in my 20 years at WBZ, I'm sitting at my keyboard, not knowing what to write. I think I can write a 1,000 page novel but still I don't have the words. It seems like everything I say about Miss Michaels isn't enough. For those who didn't know her, I guess I can't get over how fabulous she was. For those who did, you know... there are no words.
Misch was a lot to so many people. A brilliant meteorologist. a dear friend A loving wife and mother. She was one of those rare human beings who excelled in everything she did. Most people knew him on TV in Boston for many years. If you lived here in the 90s and early 2000s, you knew Mish Michaels. She began her meteorology career at WMUR in Manchester, but quickly made it to the "big time" in Boston. She became a household name working at WHDH and then WBZ from 2001-2009.
In a field dominated by men for decades, Misch was determined to pave the way for female meteorologists not only here in Boston, but across the country. And he did just that. Mish was, in a word, brilliant. She was the most prepared, hardworking and dedicated meteorologist I have ever worked with. He exalts and inspires those around him. Mish could do whatever she wanted. She could be a leader in almost any industry. The fact that he chose meteorology was not by chance; I believe it had to happen.
When Mich was in kindergarten, a tornado struck her apartment complex in Baltimore, Maryland. She always pointed to that experience as the first time she was fascinated by the season. He never looked back. I often wondered, if that chance encounter with the tornado had never happened, could she be a famous artist or writer, or maybe a world-famous equestrian… in the years after she left TV. Some of his "hobbies". I can't stop thinking about how blessed we were in the meteorological community that he chose us. She was, in my mind, one of the all-time greats in Boston TV history and probably the most influential woman of her day in broadcast science.
With a license plate reading "T-Storm," her love and passion for the season was undeniable and infectious. He had this amazing energy, an undeniable presence. When she entered any room, she used to burn it. From a short meeting at the WBZ to a weather conference with thousands of scientists, he had an aura about himself that was evident. She immediately became the focal point, not because of any arrogance, but simply because, well, she was mish.
On a personal level, Misch was responsible in large part for shaping my career. We worked together for about 15 years in two stations. There's no doubt in my mind, that if it weren't for Misch, I would never have had my 20 years at WBZ. And I'm just one of the countless people who are lucky enough to have Misch in their life and call him a friend. The stories of the people he touched in his journey and the lives of those he enriched can fill thousands of pages.
Even though it's been almost 13 years since we last worked together, Mish and I remained in close touch. She was as true a friend as anyone could have asked for. Our last communication was, of course, about the weather.
I started this blog saying, there are no words, and now I feel like I could go on forever. Life is short. We need to make the most of our time on earth. Mish did the same. I will always cherish every moment I spend with her and am grateful to know such a wonderful woman.
Misch would often end her letters or emails by saying "sunny skies."
Now it's my turn. Mish, I wish you eternal sunny skies.