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Slain Anchorwoman's Gift To Others

Anne Pressly will be laid to rest Thursday.

The 26-year-old Little Rock, Ark. TV anchor died Saturday following a brutal attack in her home Oct. 20.

News of her death brought an outpouring of emotion -- flowers, candles and stuffed animals for a makeshift memorial outside her home.

Meanwhile, the manhunt continues for a suspect in Pressly's murder, and the station where she worked, KATV, has established a reward fund for anyone with information that may help police. The fund now tops $33,000.

Anne's father, Guy Cannady, told Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith Wednesday that he and his wife have had, "as you can imagine, a very tough week. Lots of ups and downs, but we are -- we're getting through."

Cannady's wife, Patty, found their daughter's body when Pressly didn't respond to Patty's wakeup call.

"She's doing as well as can be expected under the circumstances," Cannady told Smith. "Again, as you can imagine, there have been many -- many lows and some highs. Lots of tears, some laughter as friends and family recounted stories of Ann that have touched (Patty's) heart. And other folks who've been extraordinarily kind to Patty and myself and the entire family."

Smith said Pressly is being remembered as an uplifting kind of person, and Cannady remarked that, "That is the one thing that we hang on to. You know, along with our faith. We are a family that has a strong foundation in our faith and beliefs. And Anne's presence is still felt now as a result of her faith and her personality, and her legacy going forward."

Cannady says he's satisfied with the probe of his daughter's slaying: "I've had numerous conversations with the Little Rock Police Department. The investigator in charge briefs me daily, personally. And, in addition, (I get) multiple phone calls. They are a little bit frustrated, as we all are, that progress has not been made yet. But I have every faith and confidence in the process and the procedures that they're using and going forward with to locate and apprehend the offender."

And Cannady said Anne actually goes on, in a sense, telling Smith, "When it became evident late Saturday afternoon of the outcome for Anne, we discussed the organ donation, and knew that that was something she would certainly have wanted to do. Twenty-four hours later, Sunday evening, we were advised that six people had been the recipient of Anne's gift. So there's a legacy that will continue to live on in other people through her. And for that, we're thankful and grateful."

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