WJZ's Sally Thorner retiring after 25 years
After more than two decades at the Baltimore TV anchor desk, WJZ newswoman Sally Thorner said Tuesday that she is retiring. The 54-year-old anchorwoman said her last day at the station will be Dec. 18.
During her career in Baltimore, the Smith College graduate has come to represent local broadcast news at its best -- serious, trustworthy and non-sensational, but also reassuring and friendly.
Thorner, who was on the air for 10 years at WMAR before she joined WJZ in 1993 in one of the most highly publicized anchor moves in Baltimore TV history, could certainly ask the hard questions. She was an excellent reporter.
But it is her calm and solid presence at the anchor desk that will be missed and remembered most by Baltimore viewers when she steps down.
Thorner also came to embody some of the challenges facing women of her generation, as she was always open in discussing the choices she made professionally in relation to goals she had for her family life. She lent her on-air prominence to many fund-raising efforts during the past 25 years, particularly those for women.
"As I look back, the overwhelming feeling I have is gratitude for my career," Thorner said in a "Sun" interview Tuesday. "I was blessed that I was always able to do it on my terms. When I got married and had a baby, that was when I chose to get off nights and now that we're reaching another sort of chapter in my family, I'm able to do this on my terms, too. And that's sort of unheard of in any business, but particularly in this one."
Thorner explained that her son, Everett, has just started college at Yale University, and that her husband, Dr. Brian Rosenfeld, travels a lot in connection with the acute care medical business he founded.
"You know, we're feeling that empty-nester thing a little, and now I can travel with my husband," Thorner said. "I love working at the station, and everybody has been great. But this the right time."
Here is the memo Thorner sent to her collegues at WJZ Tuesday announcing the move:
I love what I do but the time has come for change. I'm retiring! As many of you know, my career decisions have always centered on my other family, the one at home.
I left WMAR years ago to get off nights which, for me, were not conducive to raising a child and having a family life. And now that child is off to college!
Brian travels extensively on business and, since Everett's away, I can now go with my husband. Our adventure begins at the end of the year.
I'll miss the people I work with, my friends that I have made over the years, and our loyal viewers. WJZ has been a wonderful place to work because of all of you. Baltimore will remain my home and so will TV Hill for the next 3 months!
Thanks Everybody,
SallyHere's the memo General Manager Jay Newman sent the staff announcing the change.
I’d like to share with you the following news.
Sally Thorner has told us she plans to retire from WJZ the end of this year. As you know, Sally has played an important role in the success of WJZ as a primary anchor and reporter for our key news broadcasts. Sally joined WJZ in 1993 after spending the first part of her Baltimore television career at WMAR. She is well known, well respected and has worked hard on air and in the community on behalf of WJZ.
On a personal note, I have worked with Sally for more then a decade and will miss seeing her everyday. I want to thank her for all her hard work and her many contributions to the success of WJZ. I am sure you all join me in wishing her well. She will be missed!
Comments
Congratulations and best wishes in retirement.
You know you just do not see people sticking with jobs 20 plus years. Good for you!
Posted by: Irene | September 8, 2009 1:36 PM
I always thought she was a good anchorwoman..
Posted by: steve | September 8, 2009 1:49 PM
Ms. Sally Thorner is a classly lady who enriched our news and media experience by her grace.
Amen. Amen. Z
Posted by: Dr. Al Hathaway | September 8, 2009 1:55 PM
I think you'll be seeing more of the long time news staff from WJZ and others leaving in the next few months because of budget cuts. With the changes in the way news is delivered in the last 10 to 20 years, you don't need a hard news reporter, but more of the younger, attractive staff that can read a sound byte and cost the company much less.
Posted by: Geoff | September 8, 2009 1:58 PM
We will greatly miss you Ms Thorner. You are always on target and classy. I would have never believed you are 54 years old. You still have much more to give. Can't wait to see what you do next. Baltimore and the world will be waiting.
Posted by: Johnny U | September 8, 2009 2:10 PM
I hope her life is good.
Posted by: Eve | September 8, 2009 2:20 PM
Ms. Thorner I have enjoyed you while being at WJZ TV. I was most impressed with your style and charm and professionalism, I met you at the 2006 Walk A Thon for breast Cancer. I worked with your niece Elissa Thorner for 5 years at the National Institutes of Health and was very impressed with her. Have a good one baby girl, you are so well deserving of this. Enjoy your Husband and Family.
Sincerely,
Josephine B. Jones
Posted by: Josephine B. Jones | September 8, 2009 2:34 PM
Dances With Wolves Is my all time favorite movie and at the end when this era passes away it broke my heart.Sally i feel the same about you leaving...but I wish you well. You are a class act. Thank you.
Posted by: Jim Britton | September 8, 2009 2:36 PM
Sad news for Baltimore. Your smile and and warm personality has made the bad news of today a little more tolerable. Family is more important though and I am sure that your husband will appreciate having his wife by his side everywhere that he goes. Thank you for 20 years Sally, you will be missed.
Posted by: John | September 8, 2009 2:49 PM
I KNOW I AM GOING TO MISS YOU
SALLY FOR MANY YEARS ....
TAKE CARE
TOM
Posted by: tometris thatch | September 8, 2009 2:50 PM
Of course, she is a classy lady. She's a native New Yorker!
Posted by: Maria | September 8, 2009 3:40 PM
... Job well done, Sally. You make a girl proud to come from Baltimore!
Posted by: defresca | September 8, 2009 4:02 PM
It seems like WJZ has almost zero turnover. What do they feed them over there?
Posted by: Richard | September 8, 2009 4:26 PM
I love you at Ch2 and at Ch 13 . I wish you the best stop in and say hi sometime . may God bless you and your family.
Posted by: Herbert | September 8, 2009 4:37 PM
i hope they bring in Jennifer Gladstone
Posted by: jack | September 8, 2009 5:18 PM
You will be so missed by everyone. Good luck and Enjoy!
Posted by: Lisa | September 8, 2009 5:23 PM
Good luck to you Sally. I have truly enjoyed you on both stations. I have followed your career on both stations. You were truly an asset to all of us viewers. I sure wish you would change your mind and stay with us. Take care and God bless you.
Posted by: Karen | September 8, 2009 6:20 PM
I really miss you sally because I've enjoyed watching you through the years on television. job well done sally!
Posted by: Anonymous | September 8, 2009 7:25 PM
Sally, you was a joy to watch. Baltimore have lose a good one. Enjoy your retirement and family, you deserve it!
Posted by: TR | September 8, 2009 7:42 PM
Good for Sally! She's worked hard and is in an enviable position to be able to step down and go and enjoy life. We'll miss her, but you can't help but feel happy for her. I hope her life in retirement is a wonderful new adventure!
Posted by: Lyndyb | September 8, 2009 8:14 PM
Thank You Sally!!!You are a joy to watch and honesty at it's best. Thank you again for all the great years. I will miss tuning into WJZ and seeing you. Take care and safe travels to you and your husband. God Bless!!
Posted by: Amanda | September 8, 2009 9:55 PM
As a retiree myself, you will enjoy! Don't look back!
Posted by: big Eddie | September 8, 2009 11:16 PM
Sally Thorner is the best thing that ever happened to WJZ... She will surely be missed.
Posted by: Joshua | September 8, 2009 11:39 PM
I remember meeting her when I was younger at Artscape. WJZ booth
Posted by: Cortez Elliott | September 9, 2009 4:13 AM
Sally stood out among the best. Hats off to you Sally and the best to you and your family. Mazel-tov on your retirement. May you always have continued good health and happiness. :)
Posted by: Sam | September 9, 2009 7:24 AM
You will be missed! Best of Luck.
Posted by: Debby Kelly | September 9, 2009 7:39 AM
Another beautiful change in a beautiful lady's life. When you worked at Channel 2 and would "stroll" through the strip mall across the street, I remember you were always gracious, pleasant and cheerful. When you moved to Channel 13 and you were out and about the area with different functions, still graceful and charmful. I wish you well, enjoy your new beginning.
Posted by: K G Balto MD | September 9, 2009 7:51 AM
I will miss her. There are few true professional anchorwomen in this town. Sally is one and Denise Koch is another. I hope they don't think they can replace her with a 20-something teleprompter reading "hottie".
Posted by: Gina C | September 9, 2009 9:17 AM
They will replace her with a 25 year old 'hottie' , that is the way local news is going ...
Posted by: spy | September 9, 2009 12:09 PM
Sally,
I will truly miss your beautiful smile. You will be missed. Your professional and wonderful attitude, I will always remember. Enjoy your husband and you son's success. There is nothing like family and again I commend you for making that step towards peace and enjoyment.
S. Williams
Rosedale, Md.
Posted by: S Williams | September 9, 2009 12:33 PM
Take care of yourself sally I do believe that the people of Baltimore will miss you I know that I myself will, I have been watching you from the time you were on channel 11 and when you move to 13 I was surprised too, it was a little strange not seeing you for the year that you could not be on TV and they were saying that it was a power play about getting more money but what ever your reason to make a power move like that took guts, especially not knowing if that was going to pay off or not. You took a gamble, win it all or lose everything, and you my dear are a winner. well played, you won, Take Care and GOD Bless you now this is a story that lets anybody reading know that I was watching you and not just saying a bunch of well wishes but saying a fond memory about you.. GOOD LUCK and Thank You :)
Posted by: Richard Parker | September 9, 2009 1:46 PM
Sally,
I will miss your warm smile on WJZ TV news and commericals. You enjoy your retirement with your husband. Best Wishes.
Sherry
Posted by: Sherry Shiroky | September 9, 2009 2:26 PM
What a great job you have done broadcasting the news on WJZ. Truly wish you the best. We all get older in time, it is your time to enjoy the rest of your life in whatever direction you choose? In retrospect, I think it is time for WJZ to completely revamp those whom they choose to continue to broadcast our news from the front desk. It is really time for change and truly sad. Especially the Morning Braodcast!! News or the Marty Bass show???
Posted by: Andrew McGinley | September 9, 2009 8:15 PM
Of course in Ohio I do not know this broadcaster at all, but I was struck by the fact that she always considered her family before her career and her statement in general. She seems very proud of her son also. She would seem to be a person with the right goals and an assest to her the news business. I hope she enjoys her retirement and travel. I feel the same way and am giving up nights to focus on my family. Z, by October I should have my EMT certification, Steve and I talked about it today. One goal will be met.
Posted by: Sherry T. | September 9, 2009 10:13 PM
I wish you a very good health and happy retired life.
Posted by: Dilip Kumar Banerjee | September 10, 2009 10:48 AM
You will be Missed
Posted by: Lawrence | September 24, 2009 4:27 PM
You are still young & healthy enough to go out and grab life with a zest. I've enjoyed watching you over the years. Please take care, and enjoy the MOST important thing in life..Family! Relax, and enjoy Sally. Debbie Brennan
Posted by: deborah brennan | December 17, 2009 4:56 PM
just like old blue eyes said you did it your way,injoy your family,and your retirement.I enjoyed watching you at 2&13
Posted by: ART L | December 19, 2009 10:45 AM