Denise Acton Ennis

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Denise at her home in Auburn, CA after a courageous 23 month long battle with Pancreatic Cancer. Denise was born on 12/9/57 in San Francisco CA to H. Wade Acton and Virginia Acton (Hanavan) and raised in Marin County where she attended Marin Catholic High School. Denise met the first love of her life, Larry Ennis (deceased), while attending college at San Diego State, and the two of them would later marry and welcome two beautiful boys into their lives, Garrett Wade Ennis and Kevin Andrew Ennis. Denise worked as a law assistant in San Francisco, and then in Sonoma for Mittleman & Pritel, where she developed a long and close relationship with the principles. Denise and Larry raised the boys in Petaluma, CA where they enjoyed family camping trips, dinner parties with their friends, trips to the beloved family condo in Tahoe and their annual Christmas party featuring Santa Claus. Denise had a huge love of animals and, along with her dog Shelby and cats, she adopted rescue horses Jake and Zen who she kept at a stable near her home.14 years ago Denise met the second love of her life, Mike Raskowsky, whom she married in 2017. Mike and Denise fulfilled their dream of owning land in the foothills, and bought a beautiful home in Auburn, CA where Denise was able to have her “babies”, ie horses, living right outside her window. She later adopted Ginnie the mini horse and Abbie, a mini donkey. Her animals brought Denise peace and joy as she went through her cancer treatments, and Shelby was by her side (literally) every step of the way. Denise was blessed with many amazing friends including her BC girls, Glenwood girls, Barn girls and MC girls. Along with sons Garrett and Kevin, Denise is survived by her husband Mike Raskowsky, brother Robert Acton (Heather), sister Debbie Acton Kiraly, nephew Stephen Kiraly, niece Stephanie Kiraly, step-son David Raskowsky, cousins David Hanavan, Kathy Hanavan (Jack), Bruce Hanavan (Emily) as well as many other beloved family members. A special thank you goes out to Kathy Hanavan, Basha Petraglia, Karen Esparza, and Margaret Raskowsky for the love, support and care they gave to Denise while she was sick, as well as to the amazing nurses, care givers and staff at Green Valley Hospice.

A Memorial service will be held at a later date.

Donations in Denise’s honor can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Green Valley Hospice, Keep Tahoe Blue