Penny L. Hatch

             Penny Lynn Hatch, 60, died late Friday January 14, 2022, as the result of a tragic house fire.

            She was born April 18, 1961, in Altoona, a daughter of Josephine (Hornberger) and the late Francis Miller.  On November 24, 1979, she married the love of her life and childhood sweetheart, Daniel Hatch in Altoona. He preceded her in death on May 23, 2021.

            Surviving are three children: Daniel P. Hatch II (Priyanka) of Montana, Stacy J. Milchman of California, and Melissa D. Dively (Adam) of Altoona; her only grandchild: Jacob Milchman of California; her mother: Josephine Worthy and husband, Charles Worthy; a sister: Diana Kennedy (Sal); a brother: Francis “Butch” Miller (Amy); a father-in-law: Paul Hatch; many brother and sister-in-laws, and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

            Penny worked as a waitress for many years at various local restaurants including Olivo's, Sal’s Original Italian Pizza and Park Hills Country Club. She enjoyed spending time with her family, dining out with her mother or father-in-law, collecting antiques with her husband, listening to the police scanner, watching Steelers football, boating with her brother at Glendale Lake, and eating steak dinners at Texas Roadhouse.

         Penny shared a special bond with her sister and youngest daughter, as all three shared the same birthday.  She was named after a very special aunt, Penny Murphy.

         Penny was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2007 and was not given a hopeful diagnosis. However, she defeated the odds and beat cancer thanks to the wonderful doctors at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois. In 2015, she suffered a pulmonary embolism and heart attack. She was on life support and not given a good outlook. Once again, she defied the odds. In December 2020, she contracted COVID-19 and spent 79 days in several different hospitals and rehabilitation facilities. Amazingly, she made a miraculous recovery and returned home just weeks before her husband was diagnosed with leukemia. She was truly an inspiration of hope. Her wishes were to donate her body to Science Care, so that she could be studied to help advance cancer research. Unfortunately, that request was denied due to the circumstance of death. But she will always be remembered as our medical miracle.

            At the request of the deceased, there will be no public services.

    "Your life was a blessing. Your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure."

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