CBS producer Katie Spikes dies at 53: 'A treasured colleague, mentor, and friend'

"60 Minutes" and "CBS News" producer Katharine Alma Spikes died Tuesday at 53 after a five year battle against cancer, according to CBS.

"Katie was a treasured colleague, mentor, and friend, whose sound judgment, unwavering optimism, and eternal wisdom enriched the lives of all who knew her," her obituary reads.

Spikes, who held various roles at CBS and won an Emmy, spent three decades at the broadcasting company. She also spent a period at CNN's "Larry King Live" in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles.

During her time at "60 Minutes," Spikes was a "driving force" for locking in interviews with Michael Phelps, Joaquin Phoenix and President Barack Obama, the network said. CBS added that her relationships landed "60 Minutes" a special deal, in which they were able to document a string of the late Tony Bennett's farewell concerts that he put on with Lady Gaga.

Her list of accolades includes being a founding member of "60 Minutes Sports," being a leader in CBS' 2013 coverage of the Boston Marathon Bombing and winning an Emmy for her work on the coverage of Princess Diana's death in 1997.

Spikes was also well-known as a mentor within the company, according to CBS.

"’60 Minutes’ has lost a very dear friend and colleague," Bill Owens, executive producer of "60 Minutes," told CBS. "Katie was such an important force on the ninth floor (home of ‘60 Minutes’) that it is hard to put into words. She was the relentless positive energy that everyone sought out. Smart, funny, hardworking, and a genius friend and mentor. I valued Katie's opinion because she wasn't afraid to take the other side of an argument and always had impeccable taste."

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Spikes was born in New York City on Oct. 26, 1969, and grew up in Larchmont, New York. She died at home in Westfield, New Jersey, and is survived by her husband Donald Furrer, sons James Joseph Furrer and Owen Doolin Furrer and stepson Brandon Scott Furrer, along with her parents, Judith Doolin Spikes and Dr. James L. Spikes, and her sister, Sarah Spikes.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: '60 Minutes,' CBS producer Katie Spikes dead after cancer battle