Detroit news anchor Deena Centofanti has returned to the airwaves after a six-week absence, providing an update on her husband Keith Stironek's recovery from a stroke.
Centofanti, a health reporter for Fox 2, appeared virtually with colleagues on Tuesday to discuss her husband's progress. Stironek, 60, suffered a stroke on June 3 and spent five weeks in the hospital. He is now home recovering, with Centofanti noting he has begun to walk upstairs again, a significant step in his recovery.
"He's taken some steps, and he's able to walk upstairs, which is huge," Centofanti said during the virtual update. She explained that Stironek's motor skills were affected by the stroke, leading to a loss of movement on the left side of his body. His ability to sleep in the couple's upstairs bedroom marks a positive development in his return home.
Centofanti, 57, described the rehab process as "slow" and emotionally challenging, noting how the event has abruptly changed her family's life. She expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from the community. "I spent a lot of time downtown and around the [Detroit Medical Center] area right there in Midtown," she recalled. "I would go on walks to clear my head a little bit, and people would just shout out, 'Deena, he's going to be okay,' and 'We're praying for you.'"
She shared her surprise at the kindness she witnessed, contrasting it with what she perceives as division and cruelty in the world. "In a time in this world when we feel like we are so divided and there's so much, you know, cruelty. And you look on social media and people are so mean. I witnessed something very different. And it really means a lot," Centofanti stated.
During a previous virtual update on June 22, Centofanti mentioned that Stironek was undergoing intensive rehabilitation. The couple had celebrated their 30th anniversary shortly before the stroke, with Centofanti marking the occasion by sharing a photo from the hospital.
Centofanti credited her adult children for putting their lives on hold to support the family, calling them an inspiration to her husband. Friends and neighbors also helped manage the household while she stayed by Stironek's side.
Centofanti, who began her career in 1990 and joined Fox 2 in 1997, expressed hope for a swift return to the studio once she receives the "OK." Her husband, Keith Stironek, serves as vice president of creative services and programming at Fox 2.