Denise D’Ascenzo Biography

Denise D’Ascenzo (January 30, 1958 – December 7, 2019) was an American 10-time Emmy award-winning journalist. Before her demise, she was working for WFSB-TV as a news anchor. She had worked for WFSB for 30 years, making her one of the longest anchors to serve at the station. Prior to joining the CBS affiliate tv she was working as a news anchor on WJKW-TV.

Denise D’Ascenzo Age At Death

Denise D’Ascenzo Cooke was born on 31^st January 1958 in Washington, DC, USA, and died on 7th December 2019. At the time of her death, she was 61 years old.

Denise D’Ascenzo Cause Of Death

Denise D’Ascenzo’s photo

Dascenzo’s death came as a huge shock not only to her family members but her WFSB family and fans as a whole. It is believed that the veteran news anchor died of a massive heart attack however this hasn’t been clarified yet. Reports reveal that she died peacefully while asleep in her home on 7th Dec 2019. Many of her fans sent in tributes following her sudden demise Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Chris Murphy also released statements mourning D’Ascenzo’s loss.

“Denise D’Ascenzo epitomized competence, class, and integrity,” Blumenthal said. “For more than 30 years, she guided Connecticut through tragedy and triumph.

We will miss her huge heart, her boundless generosity, and her tireless grace. Connecticut has lost a television legend, an invaluable voice, and a dear friend. My heart and thoughts are with her husband, daughter, and her Channel 3 family.”

Denise D’Ascenzo Funeral | Burial Date

D’Ascenzo’s funeral was not broadcasted live on television. The family preferred to keep it a private affair. A public memorial was held in honor of D’Ascenzo on 29th January 2020. The memorial service was live-streamed on the WFSB and stations in Connecticut.

The ceremony was graced by colleagues,  notable dignitaries, fans, and her friends. They all gathered at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford to mourn the death and celebrate the legacy of the veteran WFSB anchor. It was celebrated on the day that would have been D’Ascenzo’s 62nd birthday.

Denise D’Ascenzo Education

D’ascenzo attended her early and high school education in Washington Dc. She developed an interest in journalism at the tender age of 12. While in Highschool D’ Ascenzo served as editor in chief of the facility’s paper. She was the first person to receive a scholarship from the American Newspaper Women’s Club; to attend a summer journalism program, at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Upon completing her high school studies, she pursued higher learning at Syracuse University graduating Magna Cum laude with dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.

Denise D’Ascenzo WFSB Anchor

Denise began her career as a journalist working for WIXT-TV in Syracuse as a weathercaster. Later on, she joined KSDK-TV  in St. Louis where she worked as a reporter and talk show host. D’Ascenzo has also worked for  WJKW-TV in Ohio. Here, she anchored the top-rated 6:00 and 11:00 newscasts.

Denise D’Ascenzo WFSB

D’Ascenzo joined WFSB-TV in 1986. Through the years, she had been a steady and reassuring presence on the anchor desk. No news anchor in Connecticut television had been on the air consecutively at the same station for a period of 33 years, from 1986 until her death in 2019. She was the longest-serving anchor at WFSB-TV.

Denise D’Ascenzo Parents

Denise was born to parents Salvatore and Rita D’Ascenzo. Her father is a retired marine corps. she also has other three sisters. Denise’s sister’s names also begin with the alphabet “D” names: Donna, Diane, and Debbie.

Denise D’Ascenzo Husband | Denise D’Ascenzo Husband Wayne Cooke

D’ascenzo was married to Wayne Cooke. The couple tied their knot in 1987 after dating for two years.  They met at Syracuse University, Wayne was a senior while D’Ascenzo was a junior. By the time of her death, they were married for 32 years and blessed with one child, a daughter called Kathryn.

The family resides in Connecticut. Denise’s husband ‘s family “owned and managed Hilltop Orchards for years,” according to reliable sources. However, it’s not operating anymore since Denise’s husband Wayne Cooke and his family took the orchard down and replaced it with a hayfield.”

Quick Facts About Denise D’Ascenzo

Denise D’Ascenzo Salary

Per our average wage estimates for a journalist in the United States, Dascenzo earned an annual salary ranging between $ 24,292 and $ 72,507 that translates to an hourly average wage of between $ 10.15 and $ 31.32. However, chances are that she was earning more than the given figures because of her work experience.

Denise D’Ascenzo  Net Worth

Working as an anchor at WFSB there is no doubt D’Ascenzo earns a good salary and has been able to accumulate good net worth. However, her exact net worth has not yet been revealed but the information will be updated as soon as it is available.

Denise D’ascenzo Death Dennis House

D’Ascenzo and Dennis’s house’s relationship was not just work-related, but the two colleagues were close friends. having anchored for over 25 years together. Her death came in as a rude shock to House who nearly cried as he announced the death of D’Ascenzo on tv.

Denise D’Ascenzo Health &Medical

Moreover, Dascenzo also has a passion for health and medical reporting. She has taken viewers inside operating rooms, cardiac catheterization labs, neonatal intensive care units, as well as onboard Life Star, the critical care helicopter service. Denise has been leading for long voice across  Connecticut in raising awareness for issues such as breast cancer, heart disease, obesity, and disease prevention.

Denise D’Ascenzo Awards and Achievement

D’Ascenzo’s legacy ranges from several awards to humanitarian causes. She was undoubted, a fine journalist as outlined in the following awards and accomplishments:

• D’Ascenzo on Oct 20, 2015, was the only woman to be honored among Eleven men and one woman made Connecticut broadcast history.
• elected to the Silver Circle in 2013, a prestigious honor bestowed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
• She is an 11-time Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist
• Two prestigious Edward R. Murrow awards.
• seven Associated Press awards
•  A national Gabriel Award.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) About Denise D’Ascenzo

Who was  Denise D’Ascenzo?

Denise D’Ascenzo (January 30, 1958 – December 7, 2019) was an American 10-time Emmy award-winning journalist. Before her demise, she was working for WFSB-TV as a news anchor. She had worked for WFSB for 30 years, making her one of the longest anchors to serve at the station. Prior to joining the CBS affiliate tv she was working as a news anchor on WJKW-TV.

How did Denise D ascenzo die?

D’Ascenzo passed away on December 7, 2019, in her sleep at her Branford, Connecticut, home. She was 61 years old. Her family disclosed that the cause of her death was a heart attack. Denise’s untimely death was confirmed by her station.WFSB Confirmed the death of Denise D’Ascenzo which occurred on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. The news read “It is the end of an era for Connecticut news. Longtime WFSB anchor Denise D’Ascenzo, bringing Connecticut news into homes across the state for decades, died suddenly and unexpected Saturday”

How old was Denise D Ascenzo when she died?

Denise D’Ascenzo Cooke was born on 31st January 1958 in Washington, DC, USA, and died on 7th December 2019. At the time of her death, she was 61 years old.

Did Denise D Ascenzo have health issues?

WFSB-TV3 news anchor Denise D’Ascenzo’s sudden death Dec. 7 came as a shock to many, and with the suspected cause said to be a massive heart attack, it is an alert reminder that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women as well as men in the United States. D’Ascenzo never had any health issues throughout her life.

Did Denise D Ascenzo have a heart attack?

Denise D’Ascenzo’s sudden death on Dec. 7 came as a shock to many and yes her cause of death was confirmed by her family members. Denise suffered a massive heart attack.

Who is Denise D Ascenzo’s daughter?

Denise had one daughter by the name Kathryn whom she adored very much until her death. Her daughter is a research assistant at Cornell University and an outreach Communications intern at the Ornithology Lab at Cornell. She is undertaking a course study in Environmental and sustainability sciences at the same facility following her graduation from Branford Highschool. Kathryn is also an alumna of the University of Vermont where she studied Environmental Science from 2016 to 2017.

Who is Wayne Cooke?

D’ascenzo was married to Wayne Cooke. The couple tied their knot in 1987 after dating for two years.  They met at Syracuse University, Wayne was a senior while D’Ascenzo was a junior. By the time of her death, they were married for 32 years and blessed with one child, a daughter called Kathryn.

Denise’s husband ‘s family “owned and managed Hilltop Orchards for years,” according to reliable sources. However, it’s not operating anymore since Denise’s husband Wayne Cooke and his family took the orchard down and replaced it with a hayfield.”

Who was Denise D’Ascenzo married to?

D’Ascenzo was married to Wayne  Cooke. the couple tied their knot in 1987 and they have a daughter Kathryn Cooke.

How much is Denise worth?

She has not yet revealed her net worth. We will update this section when we get and verify information about the wealth and properties under her name.

How much salary did Denise D’Ascenzo make?

Per our average wage estimates for a journalist in the United States, she receives annual salary ranging between $ 24,292 and $ 72,507 that translates to an hourly average wage of between $ 10.15 and $ 31.32.

When was Denise D’ Ascenzo buried?

She was buried last a few days after her death in a private ceremony. The family did not disclose her burial place. A second memorial service was held on her 62nd birthday. The memorial service was celebrated on the eve of what would have been D’Ascenzo’s 62nd birthday. Among the mourners were people whose stories D’Ascenzo had told, including conjoined twins Carmen and Lupita Andrade, and Jonathan Gionfriddo, who lives with a rare skin disorder.

What happened to Denise D’Ascenzo?

D’Ascenzo died suddenly in her home on 7th December 2019. her cause of death was termed as a massive heart attack.

What Has Denise achieved as an Anchor?

As an anchor, D’ascenzo had worked for a number of TV stations. She remains one of the most popular anchors in Cleveland TV history. As of 2019, she held the first position amongst the longest-serving anchors at any Connecticut TV station.

Moreover, Denise had also traveled to provide special coverage, of such events as the 1988 Republican National Convention and the U.S. visit of Pope John Paul the II, including the crash of United flight 232 and the arrest of the Washington, DC sniper.

In addition to local and national political leaders, Denise had interviewed a number of celebrities, such as Paul Newman, Bob Hope, Tony Bennett, and Oprah Winfrey.

what is the D’ascenzo’as Birth Sign?

D’Ascenzo was born under the zodiac sign Aquarius.

Does Denise have a hall of fame star?

D’Ascenzo on Oct 20, 2015, was the only woman to be honored among Eleven men and one woman made Connecticut broadcast history. As they became collectively the first class of honorees to be inducted into the new Connecticut Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame at the Hartford Hilton’s 60th Anniversary Convention.

which tv stations has Denise worked For?

D’Ascenzo had worked for stations such as WFSB-TV since 1986, WJKW-TV, KSDK-TV and WIXT-TV.

Where Did Denise grow up?

D’Ascenzo was born in Washington, DC and grew up in suburban Rockville, Maryland

When did Denise Realize Her Passion in journalism?

D’Ascenzo became interested in journalism as a young child.

Did Denise Graduate?

She graduated from Magna Cum Laude with dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science.

Did Denise Involve in charitable courses?

Denise had long been a leading voice across Connecticut in raising greater awareness of such conditions as breast cancer, heart disease, obesity and disease prevention. Furthermore, She had been recognized for her work with a number of charities like the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Mary’s Place and the Channel 3 Kids Camp.

Has Denise D’Ascenzo won any awards?

Certainly, D’Ascenzo has won a number of awards in her journalism career. She is an 11-time Emmy award-winning broadcast journalist, two prestigious Edward R. Murrow awards, seven Associated Press awards, and a national Gabriel Award.

Is Denise a member of the Silver Circle?

Of course, she is. D’Ascenzo was elected to the Silver Circle in 2013, a prestigious honor bestowed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences because of her significant contributions to broadcasting.

Has Denise ever acted as an editor in chief of any News Paper?

the news anchor was the editor-in-chief during high school days. She edited for East Hartford High School’s newspaper consequently became the first person to receive a scholarship from the American Newspaper Women’s Club. She thereafter attended a summer journalism program at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

Denise D’Ascenzo Social media Handles

Twitter

To all the veterans, thank you for your service! @WFSBnews pic.twitter.com/5BB32SKKZL

— Dennis House (@DennisHouseTV) November 11, 2019