Nov. 04--Lorri Kovitz, an award-winning videotape editor for WBBM-Ch. 2 who for more than two decades worked closely with top local talent on news and investigative stories, made significant changes in her life after losing her leg to cancer nearly a decade ago.
According to former colleagues, Kovitz was in great demand at CBS-owned Channel 2, where for years she edited the work of reporters and anchors such as Bill Kurtis, Lester Holt, Dorothy Tucker, Elizabeth Vargas, Bob Sirott and Gene Siskel.
"She brought skill and creativity to the job, but she also brought spirit, warmth and a wicked sense of humor right along with her," Kurtis said in a statement. "She made my day on the air and off."
Kovitz, 60, who for her work received a Chicago Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 1987, died of cancer on Oct. 25 at Serenity Hospice in Oregon, Ill. She was formerly of Chicago and Michiana Shores, Ind.
"Lorri was someone who lived life on her own terms," said her fiance, Ralph Box. "Not even cancer got in the way of her doing what she wanted to do."
After the amputation of her left leg nine years ago, Kovitz began performing stand-up comedy, became an avid kayaker and made trips throughout the U.S. and the world -- some of them solo -- to places including Brazil and Australia in pursuit of innovative, holistic approaches to dealing with cancer.
"She kept doing the things she loved and exploring new things," said Ann Serafin, a former producer at Channel 2. "She kept her sense of humor. Her attitude was 'If this is the hand I've been dealt, I'm going to make the most of it.'"
A longtime fan of comedy, Kovitz regularly attended Chicago clubs and festivals, and during the past few years joined the Feminine Comique, a series of comedy classes aimed at providing the fundamentals to write and perform stand-up.
While honing her act, she performed in Chicago-area clubs and coffeehouses including several shows at Zanies on the North Side. Her material often was about her experience of losing a leg.
Serafin said Kovitz was at her best when performing at workshops for cancer survivors like herself, demonstrating the power of humor in the healing process.
"She always found humor to be the best medicine to combat her illness," said Serafin, who attended many of Kovitz's shows. "In fact, she wanted to begin her own obituary with: "Lorri Kovitz, who already had one foot in the grave ..."
Born in Chicago, Kovitz lived with her family in the South Shore neighborhood, before moving to River Forest and graduating from Oak Park and River Forest High School in 1972.
While in her teens, she took a trip to New York with her family and toured the NBC television studios at Rockefeller Center, including the network's newsroom.
"She came off that tour so excited and saying, 'That's what I'm going to do someday,'" recalled her brother Steve.
After earning a bachelor's degree in telecommunications from Indiana University in 1976, Kovitz had a stint as an intern at WLS Radio in Chicago before moving to Indianapolis, where she worked at a television news station.
In 1980, she landed a job as a videotape editor at Channel 2, and worked there through 2007, about a year after she was first diagnosed with bone cancer. She also taught at Columbia College during that time.
"At first I was a little scared of her, because she was so good at what she did -- so fast and so intense," recalled Serafin, who joined the station in 1981. "She had a great eye for visuals and sounds and putting the two together. I remember just wanting to work with her and learn as much as I could."
In September, more than 100 people attended the opening of a handicapped-accessible kayak and canoe launch at Hansen Park in Michigan City, Ind., which was dedicated to Kovitz for her devotion to kayaking by the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association.
The launch site is equipped with a mechanical device that makes it easier for those with disabilities to climb in and out of a vessel.
"She took up kayaking about five years ago, and inspired a lot of other people to take it up as well," said Box, who accompanied Kovitz on many of her kayaking trips. "She loved the feeling that once in the water, she was like everyone else."
She also is survived by two other brothers, Jeffrey and Marc.
A memorial celebration is being planned.
Joan Giangrasse Kates is a freelance reporter.
