Denise Marie Malobicky
Denise Marie Malobicky, 73, a resident of Elkins, passed away Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at Cortland Acres Health and Rehabilitation in Thomas, West Virginia.
She was born June 22, 1952, in Tarentum, Pennsylvania, the only child of the late Joseph and Helen Hrebicek Malobicky.
She is survived by her “favorite” cousin, Dolly; and special friends, Bobbie, Vicki and Barbara.
Denise and her family moved to Elkins in 1965, where she remained.
She was twice married and divorced and she had no children.
Denise graduated with honors from Mount de Chantal Visitation Academy in Wheeling, West Virginia, then fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a nurse in 1974, graduating from the West Virginia University School of Nursing. She sat on Student Faculty Council and was Class President her junior and senior years.
Denise held various nursing positions at Davis Memorial Hospital. She worked for 30 years in the Emergency Department, where she was privileged to have been involved in many multi-disciplinary teams including Emergency Department development in the early 80s; on the Elkins Emergency Squad team to establish helicopter medevac system in Northcentral, West Virginia, and was a member of the WV Medical Team for the torch run of the ’84 Olympics.
Denise was the first local RN to obtain national certification in Emergency Nursing. With financial support from the hospital, she encouraged her colleagues to sit for their exam as well. Denise retired from Davis Memorial Hospital in 2009 due to health issues.
In June, 1987, Denise was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the Air National Guard at Martinsburg, West Virginia. She received her wings after completing flight nurse school at Brooks Airforce Base in San Antonio, Texas, and training flights on C-130 evacuation training missions out of the 167th ANG at Martinsburg, West Virginia.
In December, 1990, she received deployment orders for Desert Storm and was stationed in theater until her return in April, 1991. Denise felt privileged and honored to have served.
In honor of Veteran’s Day, 2021, Denise was the recipient of the Log Cabin Quilters’ Guild and cherished that quilt. The quilt remained with Denise until her death.
For several years after retirement, Denise worked part-time as a cashier at Kroger which she enjoyed and volunteered at Catholic Charities and Saint Brendan Catholic Church where she was a member. She loved to sew, quilt, and cherished her years as a cat momma.
She was also the first female member of H. W. Daniels Post 29 American Legion and Tygart Valley Post 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars. In July, 2023, with mounting medical concerns and increased disabilities, Denise moved to Valentine Assisted Living and later to Cortland Acres Health and Rehabilitation.
Denise’s request for cremation has been honored and a service will be announced at a later date.
It was also her request that memorial contributions be made to the Randolph County Humane Society for the care of cats, P.O. Box 785, Elkins, WV 26241; Saint Brendan Catholic Church, 181 Saint Brendan Way, Elkins, WV 26241; Dailey Living, P.O. Box 339, Nitro, WV 25143 or to the Randolph County Emergency Squad for Paramedic Training, 2 11th Street, Elkins, WV 26241 in memory of Denise.
The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Denise Marie Malobicky.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.
