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Obituary
On August 9, 2026, the world got a little quieter and a lot less fun when Squeen Denke passed away at the age of 76.
True to her word, we're honoring her long-standing insistence that her "legal" name was far less interesting than the one everyone knew her by.
Squeen was married to the love of her life, George W. Denke, for 57 wonderful years. They met at East Stroudsburg University, where she was studying Physical Education and George was, according to family lore, finding increasingly creative reasons to remain on campus until she finally agreed to keep him around permanently.
After a brief time teaching, Squeen and George began building businesses and a life together. And what a life it was.
Long before "adventure lifestyle" became a trendy phrase, Squeen was living it. Weekends were spent on dirt bikes, exploring trails and making memories. Once children entered the picture, those adventures simply got bigger. Together with their beloved moto family, weekends became a collection of stories, laughs, road trips, and experiences that would shape a lifetime of memories.
Squeen and George raised their family in the Hazleton area, building their home from the ground up in the Valley of Lakes. She approached life the same way she approached that home: with determination, creativity, and the belief that almost anything was possible if you were willing to work hard and have a little fun along the way.
Music, singing, and theater brought Squeen endless joy. Her knack for bringing energy and excitement to every endeavor inspired George to purchase and transform an old button factory into a community theater, giving others a place to share in the experiences she treasured so much.
Later, she traded some of her adventures for fairways and greens, embracing golf with the same enthusiasm she brought to everything else. Alongside her beloved "Sugar Babes," she shared countless laughs, lasting friendships, and plenty of unforgettable days on the course.
She also found peace in life's quieter moments. Put her near water, a few hummingbirds, and some butterflies, and she was exactly where she wanted to be. Though knowing Squeen, she probably wouldn't sit still for too long before finding the next project.
More than anything, Squeen's greatest joy was her family. Raising her children and cheering on every accomplishment, big or small, of her grandchildren brought her immeasurable pride. But her definition of family extended far beyond blood. Known simply as "Grammy" to just about everyone, she had a remarkable gift for welcoming people into her heart and making them feel they belonged. Friends, neighbors, and more than a few self-proclaimed strays found encouragement, laughter, wisdom, and unwavering support in her presence. If Grammy loved you, you were family. She spent her life showing up for the people she cared about, leaving them with countless stories, cherished memories, and a standard of love that's impossible to replace.
Squeen is survived by her devoted husband, George W. Denke; her son, Torsten Denke, his wife Amy, and their son Broc; her daughter, Samantha (Denke) Knocke, her fiancé Ian Hicks, and Samantha's son Gavin Knocke; her sister, Victoria Pasquini; and her brothers, Sean McGee and Kevin McGee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Elizabeth and Ludwig Pasquini; her brothers, Terry McGee and Rick Pasquini; her sister-in-law, Zona McGee; nephew, Ryan McGee and her son-in-law, Jason Knocke.
If you knew Squeen, you know she wouldn't want to be remembered with sadness for long. She would want stories shared, laughter heard across the room, music playing, and loved ones gathered together. She lived fully, loved fiercely, laughed often, and never passed up an opportunity to celebrate all that life had to offer.
The family will receive friends in the Joseph A. Moran Funeral Home, 229 W. 12th St., Hazleton, on Thursday, August 13th from 4-6 P.M. We encourage everyone to come prepared with a favorite Squeen story, because she never met a gathering she couldn't make more fun.
In her honor, take the trip. Play the music. Tell the joke. Hug your family. And if you find yourself near the water watching butterflies drift by, think of Squeen and smile. She certainly would. ❤️ -
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