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JoAnne Purtan, a fixture at WXYZ TV for 20 years, was teary-eyed as she signed off for the final time as anchor on the noon broadcast on Friday. Her contract was not renewed.
JoAnne Purtan
"I thank you for inviting me into your homes for the last 20 years and, by the way, for all the heartfelt sentiments and well wishes on social media," she says in a Facebook video (below). "I want you to know I have read each and every comment on my Facebook page. I am truly grateful for, really, your love and support."
On the set during her last broadcast, meteorologist Hally Vogel says: "JoAnne, you are a wonderful person, coworker, friend. And just to say you will be missed is a sore understatement. We truly love you and are going to miss you."
Viewers post comments on the broadcaster's Facebook page:
♦ Diane Sayles: You are going to be missed by so many. I have enjoyed watching you for so many years. You are a true professional and a class act. I don't understand what WXYZ was thinking with this decision. You were such an asset to the organization. I wish you continued blessings. Best wishes!
♦ Diane Peers: Such a sad day as Channel 7 lost a true professuonal. I don't know what they were thinking. With you and Stephen gone, it's time to find a new station. You will truly be missed!
♦ Robert Fortner: Again you will be missed.Still don't understand it.Good Luck in the future.Hope to see you on another channel.
♦ Robert Walker: TV 7 will suffer for this action. JoAnn has been my reason for watching. She will be sorely missed.
