Longtime WFSB anchor Denise D’Ascenzo dies

WFSB announced the death of Denise D’Ascenzo Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. WFSB announced the death of Denise D’Ascenzo Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. Photo: Contributed Photo / WFSB Photo: Contributed Photo / WFSB Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Longtime WFSB anchor Denise D’Ascenzo dies 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

ROCKY HILL — Longtime WFSB anchor Denise D’Ascenzo, who brought Connecticut news into homes across the state for decades, died suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday, the station announced Saturday night.

She was 61.

The cause of her death was not released as of Sunday morning.

“The grief we are all feeling is immeasurable,” the station said. “We are devastated for her husband and daughter who were her whole life. There are no words that could begin to summarize this loss for our WFSB family.”

D’Ascenzo joined WFSB-TV in 1986.

She was elected to the Silver Circle — a honor bestowed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for significant broadcasting contributions — in 2013.

Two years after the Silver Circle, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Connecticut Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

D’Ascenzo was an 11-time Emmy award winner. She has also been honored with seven Associated Press awareds, a national Gabriel Award and two Edward R. Murrow awards.

WFSB anchor Dennis House said during his on-air broadcast where he announced her death Saturday night that the grief the WFSB station is feeling is “immeasurable.”

“On a personal note,” House continued, holding back tears, “she was my sister, my TV wife, my best friend here and my co-anchor for 25 years.”

He said D’Ascenzo was the longest-serving anchor in the station’s history. She would’ve celebrated 34 years with WFSB in March.

“This is all just really so sudden and painful for us,” House said. “Denise, I will miss you. Farewell, friend.”

Many across Connecticut took to social media to share their shock and heartbreak over the news of her death Saturday, including Gov. Ned Lamont, who called the news “incredibly saddening.”

“She was a trusted name in journalism, and her work most certainly made an impact,” Lamont said on Twitter.

In a statement, the governor said she earned the distinction of being a trusted name in journalism through her “dedicated work and dependable reporting.” He said D’Ascenzo “dedicated herself to the people of Connecticut,” through her career.

“The news of her passing is incredibly saddening, and I extend my deepest condolences to Denise’s family, friends, and colleagues at WFSB,” Lamont said. “She is undoubtedly a Connecticut news legend.”