'Surreal': News 12's Carol Silva Signs Off For Last Time (VIDEO)

HICKSVILLE, NY — Carol Silva, an award-winning journalist and Hicksville native who spent 33 years at News 12, has signed off for the last time. In her final appearance Friday, a tearful Silva said it was time to embark on her next chapter.

"This moment is surreal, yet totally right," she said. "My heart knows that it's time."

Silva, 65, was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in September shortly after announcing her retirement in May. Tumors had spread to her brain. She returned to the air Dec. 2.

On Friday, Silva thanked her doctors for saving her life and said she was a "living miracle."

"I'm going to be around for decades more," she said.

Silva thanked her family and co-workers for their love and support, as well as Long Islanders for letting her share their stories.

"My story has more to it," she said. "God bless you."

In 5...4...3...2...1...@CarolSilvaNews signs off one last time... pic.twitter.com/XQeXyjgqhW
— News12LI (@News12LI) December 20, 2019

Silva has won numerous awards, including three Emmys and more than 30 New York State Associated Press Awards, during her career. The Girl Scouts of America honored Silva with its highest award given to an adult, the "Juliette Low Award," for her volunteer work.

News 12 honored Silva by renaming its studio in her honor. The studio is now known as the Carol Silva Studio.

Celebrating @CarolSilvaNews ! The @News12LI studio is now officially The Carol Silva Studio! pic.twitter.com/xTp6PpbtYR
— News12LI (@News12LI) December 20, 2019

The station also unveiled video showcasing Silva and her career, including decades-old photos and clips, such as a grainy photo of her while she was working on a radio story about charity work with Billy Joel.

Silva began anchoring at News 12 Long Island in 1987.

"The studio looked oh so very different," she said in the video. "My hair looked different. My jewelry looked different."

Tributes poured in across the industry and Long Island from fans. Many said they'd teared up. Others bawled.

"Carol Silva is retiring after 33 years on News12," tweeted @MIsterFantaztiQ. "30 of those years I personally woke up and saw her. Thank You delivering our local news. As local as local news gets!!"

@babybela97 tweeted she was crying at 7:30 a.m. watching Silva's last day, while @katiegillen said she sobbed. Another user compared her to legendary journalist Walter Cronkite.

"It could be argued that carol Silva is long island’s Walter Cronkite," tweeted Gerry Brostek.

Silva has been mum about her future plans. Newsday reported that her most pressing assignment is preparing for her daughter's wedding in the spring.

Erin Colton will replace Silva on the anchor desk.

"Nobody can replace Carol," Colton said in a News 12 report. "But I’m ready to bring my energy and passion for informing Long Islanders every morning to the anchor desk."