Denise D'Ascenzo Cooke (January 30, 1958 – December 7, 2019) was an American television news anchorwoman at WFSB-TV in Hartford, Connecticut.
After graduating magna cum laude from Syracuse with dual degrees in broadcast journalism and political science, she began working full-time as a reporter for WIXT.
At the time of her death, D'Ascenzo was also the longest-serving news anchor at any Connecticut television station.
[6][7] In 2013, she was inducted to the Silver Circle, an honor bestowed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for her contributions to broadcasting.
[14] Following her passing, the Denise D'Ascenzo Foundation was formed in 2020 to "support advances in medicine and health, women's and children's issues, and journalism studies.