Mayor Eric Adams paid tribute to NY1 anchor Ruschell Boone Tuesday, calling her a friend and saying she was “the heart and soul of the greatest city on the globe.”

Ruschell passed away Sunday due to complications related to pancreatic cancer. She was 48. 

“She was just so authentic, as you saw in your tribute, just how authentic New York she was,” Adams said in an interview with NY1’s Cheryl Wills. “There were so many stories in her life, from being an immigrant, pursuing her dreams of going to the various events and making New Yorkers feel special. She made us all feel special.”

Adams was Ruschell’s first guest when she returned to Live at Noon after completing chemotherapy earlier this year.

“Think about the stories she covered, from terrorism to triumph, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to those personal stories making people realize that you see them,” the mayor said. “And that’s really the uniqueness of not only Ruschell, but this station and what you have done, Cheryl. I think this station has a uniqueness of bringing together just everyday New Yorkers who know how to cover the stories. She personified that.”

Viewers who want to remember Ruschell can email notes to RememberingRuschell@charter.com.