Obituary of Denise Marie Hlivia

Denise Marie Hlivia, 55, of Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home surrounded by her husband Joe, son Alex and daughter Jordan on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Born September 2, 1968, in Williamsport, PA she was the daughter of the late Eugene George and Eleanor Mark Buonato. She married Joseph W. Hlivia, who survives.

Denise moved from Williamsport to Hazleton, PA during her elementary school years where she resided until completing high school. Denise was a 1986 graduate of Bishop Hafey High School.

She attended Lycoming College, in Williamsport, PA for one year prior to transferring to The Pennsylvania State University. She received a bachelor's degree in 1990 and 1992 from Penn State University in Business Management and Labor and Industrial Relations.

Denise met her husband Joe while at Penn State. Although not initially an outdoor enthusiast she followed her husband's love of nature and spent countless hours following him around. She spent time with him in Yellowstone National Park the summer prior to them graduating from college. After college she met him in Idaho where Joe worked for a summer, and they traveled the country before returning to Pennsylvania. She soon learned about the family cabin and enjoyed spending time with him there. Joe proposed to Denise at the family cabin property at a location that became known as 'Engagement Rock'.

Joe and Denise married on August 7, 1999 and began their life together in Bellefonte, PA. They soon after moved to Pine Grove Mills, PA before settling in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA.

She was employed as a Research Administrator in the Eberly College of Science at The Pennsylvania State University since 1997. Prior to that, she was employed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, PA.

She was a member of both Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and Good Shepard Catholic Church.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two children, Alex J. Hlivia, 20 and Jordan E. Hlivia, 18, both of Pennsylvania Furnace, PA who were the joys of her life. She is survived by one sister, Michelle A. Paisley and her husband, Michael, of Muncy, PA, as well as an extended family of aunts, uncles, in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Saying she adored her children would be an understatement. Her kid's hobbies were her hobbies. Her children meant everything to her, and she was selfless in giving all of her time to supporting them and volunteering her time to their activities. She wanted nothing more than to watch her son Alex play baseball and her daughter Jordan perform as competitive dancer. This was evident in all the time she committed to traveling to support them, be it in their hometown or surrounding states.

She is deeply loved and will forever be missed by her family, friends, and her 3-year-old Black Lab, Bentley.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM, on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College.

Memorial service will be at 12:30 PM, on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Bob Perks Foundation or the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition.

Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.