Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer has announced the devastating death of her mother.
Carolyn Von Seelen died on February 13 surrounded by her children. She was 85.
Paying tribute to her mom in a heartbreaking post on Instagram, Spencer said that she had a smile that lit up every room she walked into.
The TV host also said that the doting matriarch always had a phrase to help people through challenging or painful moments.
Spencer remembered: ‘One of her favorites was “don’t be sad it’s over honey — be grateful it happened.”
‘Sorry mama but there’s no way to not feel the pain of overwhelming sadness at the thought of not having you to share life with each day, but we sure are grateful YOU happened and showered us with your loving warmth and humor.’
Spencer praised her mother for her courage, resilience, endless optimism, deep faith, and boundless love for her family.
‘Our loving mom, grandmother to 12 and great-grandmother to four left us on Friday the 13th (which we know she would have gotten a kick out of) surrounded by her children and her beloved rescue dog to reunite with my dad and our sister Pamela,’ she penned.
Good Morning America’s Lara Spencer has announced the devastating death of her mother
Carolyn Von Seelen died on February 13 surrounded by her children – she was 85
Paying tribute to her mom in a heartbreaking post on Instagram, Spencer said that she had a smile that lit up every room she walked into
‘We love you always and forever mom.’
Spencer received an outpouring of condolences from fellow broadcast journalists following her devastating announcement.
Inside Edition’s Eva Pilgrim wrote: ‘Oh Lara. I am so, so sorry for your loss. Sending you so much love.’
Today show’s Jenna Bush Hager added: ‘Sending you love Lara! I know how much you adored her.’
The View’s Sara Haines penned: ‘Oh Lara! I remember her well. I’m so sorry to read this news. Sending so much love to you and your family.’
Meteorologist Ginger Zee commented: ‘So sorry Lara and sending you and the entire family so much love and peace.’
Good Morning America took a moment to pay tribute to Von Seelen during Tuesday’s episode.
Robin Roberts remembered Spencer’s mother for her kindness.
Von Seelan appeared beside her daughter Spencer on Good Morning America in 2012
She has been remembered as a beloved member of the GMA family
The 65-year-old co-anchor said: ‘I had a speaking gig down in Florida and I didn’t tell Lara.
‘Her mom didn’t know, but she read the local paper and saw I was coming to town and she surprised me. She just showed up.’
‘Knowing who Lara is, it isn’t a surprise that her mom would do something like that,’ Michael Strahan, 54, said.
George Stephanopoulos, also 65, added: ‘She popped in all the time with a big, big smile.’
