SPOKANE, Wash. — Mary Ann Wilson, the registered nurse who created and hosted “Sit and Be Fit” for 37 years, died yesterday, leaving behind a fitness legacy that touched lives across the Inland Northwest and beyond.
Wilson launched the program at KSPS in Spokane in 1987 after teaching exercise classes at senior centers. Her final season aired last year.
“She always has had a big heart for people and for helping people,” said Gretchen Cowan, Wilson’s daughter.
The program focused on gentle movements to help viewers maintain physical abilities. Participants shared success stories about improved daily functioning.
“For her to get up in front of a camera and do that was a whole different learning curve for her. And she believed enough in the vision and fearlessly just did it,” Cowan said.
Jim Zimmer, the show’s producer at KSPS, praised Wilson’s natural camera presence.
“She had to do these shows pretty much almost from start to finish, real time, you know, no script or anything like that. She just was a natural in front of the camera,” Zimmer said.
The program created genuine connections with viewers.
“Her viewers really feel like they are she is there with them in their living room and they really feel like they know her and that she’s their exercise friend,” Cowan said.
Viwers of all ages resonated with her clear, calm instructions and gentle demeanor.
“I was very vocal when I first got here about how much she meant to me, especially as a child,” said Madison Dykeman, the Membership Manager at KSPS.
“She is smiling down on us right now for sure,” Cowan said.
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