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Karen Plotkin Obituary
Formerly of Leominster; 59
SOUTH DEERFIELD -- Karen Plotkin, 59, of South Deerfield, passed away at home on Monday, Dec. 26, after a brief battle with cancer.
Karen was born in Leominster on Jan. 21, 1957, to Louis "Pin" Cannavino and Marge (Crespin) Cannavino. She was a graduate of Fitchburg State College and the Leominster School of Nursing. After graduation, she began her lifelong nursing career as a visiting nurse in the Fitchburg area. Upon moving to South Deerfield, she worked several nursing jobs. Her career then took her to the University of Massachusetts, where she became a professor in the College of Nursing for 17 years. While at UMass, she earned her master's degree and went on to complete her Ph.D.
In 2000, Karen received the College of Nursing's Outstanding Teacher award. She did extensive research on adolescent endometriosis, publishing her study, "Stolen Adolescence: The Experience of Adolescent Girls with Endometriosis" in 2004. She was also a member of several nursing associations and received a board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a clinical nurse specialist in home health nursing in 2006.
Karen loved her students, and her students loved her. She received letters and thank-you cards from students every year, many of whom said they aspired to be like her.
Every Sunday for years, she would meet a group of friends at Schetzen Verein in Gill to walk their dogs along the Connecticut River. She also loved traveling with her family.
She is survived by her husband, John, and her children, Andrew of Worcester and Matthew of South Deerfield. She is also survived by her mother, Marge, her sister, Jane Kennedy of Leominster and Jane's longtime companion, Dennis Wills of Gardner, as well as her beloved 15-year-old Golden Retriever, Shelby Lynn.
Karen is predeceased by her father, who passed away in 2014.
PLOTKIN -- A memorial service will be held Jan. 7 at 11 a.m. at Wrisley Funeral Home in South Deerfield. A calling hour will be held the morning of Jan. 7th from 10:00AM until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UMass College of Nursing Scholarships at: Records and Gift Processing, Memorial Hall, UMass, Amherst, MA 01003. Online donations can be made at: www.umass.edu/nursing/alumni-giving.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Karen Plotkin
Sponsored by SentinelandEnterprise.com.
January 21, 2017
Karen,
I was fortunate to watch you grow up to the beautiful mature women you had become. I was so very proud of you. I will miss your smile and your caring, loving nature. Until we meet again give Dad a hug and kiss from me and Mom. By the way, Happy Birthday!
Love,
Jane
January 9, 2017
Will never forget the sweet blonde girl I met in the first grade and all the times we shared. So very saddened Karen and my deepest and loving condolences to John, your loving children,mother and sister
Jayne. Rest dear Karen and say hello to my father, he would loved to spend time with you and your dad.
Sweet angels here is another one.
January 7, 2017
I will miss you dearly Karen. You had such gift for teaching, sincere caring for your students and your respect for your beloved community work. I so appreciate our work together. Your kind and sensitive spirit fills the office I occupy. I honor your presence every day,
Ginny
Liz Theroux
January 6, 2017
One of my first faculty friends at the College of Nursing. Sorely miss the dedication to our students. Sincere condolences to John and their sons and her beloved Shelby! Liz Theroux - Belchertown
Mary Anne Bright
January 6, 2017
Dear John and family,please receive my heartfelt condolences. I'll remember Karen as the strong, kind and gentle force of nature that she was, who touched my life as well as the life of many others she encountered in her numerous professional roles as impassioned teacher, inspiring mentor, and compassionate nurse. Wishing you comfort in knowing that she was loved by so many, and that she left the world a better place.
January 6, 2017
Christmas day will never be the same at
Plain Rd.
Love
Den
January 5, 2017
I just heard of Karen's passing. I am so sorry. She inspired me yet she was so humble, i doubt she knew. She had a gift of intellect yet humanity - she had an ability to reach students... even me fro
m a distance. something that it is quite rare. I will keep her in my prayers....
Bill Sullivan
Jean Swinney
January 5, 2017
Karen was an excellent colleague and a kind and valued friend. My prayers go out to you and your family in your time of sorrow... May Gods love and strength embrace you during this time.
Allen Young
January 5, 2017
Sincere sympathy wishes to family and friends. My thoughts are with you all in a time of loss and sorrow.
Winona Moeller
January 4, 2017
Dear Family of Karen Plotkin,
So many times through the years I've remembered Karen. I was her mentor for a clinical experience at long term care facilities in Peterborough, NH. Such an industrious, dedicated, student [at Fitchburg State College] who absolutely committed herself to caring: caring for her patients, & her family while excelling throughout her demanding baccalaureate program!
I vividly recall assuring Karen her time management abilities, curiosity, penchant for learning, and love of people would provide her a professional path to follow wherever she wanted to take it. Her contributions to her students, the faculty with whom she shared are cherished by those privileged to be in her midst, as was I, having experienced her Being in her formative years as an outstanding student of nursing.
I send my heartfelt condolences to you, her family, for all the love she's received from you throughout these years and that she surely showered upon you. Peace soon by with you as that which she now Lives.
Winona Moeller
Univ. of MA, Amherst CON, Board of Alumni Member
Barbara Stanley
January 4, 2017
Dearest Karen,
You have been a true inspiration to me and so many others. Your students had a great love for you. Your support and dedication to doctoral students who were preparing their dissertation, your colleagues and especially your community/ home health students are well know. You left your mark on all of us. Your kind words, gentle ways and tender spirit will be always be remembered. I will miss you.
John, Andrew, Matt, mom and your entire family please accept my sincere condolences.
With love,
Barbara
Martha Spiro
January 4, 2017
Deeply saddened. Karen was someone I deeply respected and admired. I came into the UMASS community nursing department with Karen heading the program, I felt that I had come home. I am sorry for your loss. martha
Kim Dion
January 4, 2017
Karen, I will miss our long talks about nursing, family, work, and your advice on my research trajectory. I admired your passion for going after what you wanted and your dedication to the students and nursing. You always stood up for what you believed in!
My sincerest condolences are sent to John, Andrew, Matt, your mom, your sister, and to Shelby, I will forever keep you in my heart. You will be missed.
Ann York
January 3, 2017
My sincerest heartfelt sympathy to Karen's family. I knew Karen as a colleague at the U-Mass College of Nursing. She was always so very kind, and thoughtful. Peace to her entire family at this sad time.
Ann Sheridan
January 2, 2017
As Karen's colleague in the College of Nursing, it was a pleasure to know her and to work with her. She had a beautiful spirit it was devoted to excellence in teaching in nursing practice. Surely her legacy will live on in her students who sought to emulate her fine qualities and expertise. I extend
condolences to Karen's family and pray that hearts will gently heal.
Cynthia Walker
January 1, 2017
Jane, so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
Nancy Thompson
January 1, 2017
My deepest sympathy to Karen's family. I knew Karen through the UMass College of Nursing. She was a strong advocate of the nursing profession.
She was lovely, kind and thoughtful. She will be missed. May God bless and keep her.
Joe Cancellieri
December 31, 2016
Karen was a great wife, mother, daughter, sister and Nurse that I had the great pleasure to meet at University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Lisa Appleton
December 29, 2016
So sorry for your loss! I knew Karen through the UMass School of Nursing and always enjoyed our conversations. You're all in my thoughts and prayers.
Christina Scharbaai
December 29, 2016
So very sorry to hear this news about Karen, one of the College of Nursing champions devoted to the nursing profession. May all who were graced by your presence be comforted by all the wonderful memories of you. I shall remember you fondly.
Sincerely Christina
Nancy AUSTIN
December 29, 2016
My sincere condolences to the entire family at this sad time! May wonderful memories ease your painful loss!
Helene Cunningham
December 29, 2016
Karen you were an amazing friend and colleague. I will miss you so very much. Thank you for all you did for so many of us.
My sincerest sympathy to your wonderful devoted husband (John), sons (Andrew and Matthew) you were so proud of, mother (Margaret), sister (Jane) and other members of your family.
Love you always!
Helene
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