Judith Anker Plotz

Judy Plotz of Providence, RI died peacefully on Tuesday March 18, 2025 after a series of strokes. She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Richard (Dick) Plotz.
Judith Constance Anker was born on July 29th,1948 in Cleveland, OH and grew up in Albany, NY with her younger brother David and sister Janet. Their father, Rudolph (Rudi), was a biochemist; their mother, Ursula, was a medical librarian. Judy met her husband Dick through the Tolkien Society of America while they were both in high school. She received her bachelor's degree from Brandeis University and a master's degree in library science from Simmons University. She and Dick were married in March of 1971. Judy worked in academic libraries and research labs and ran a catering business while Dick attended medical school at the University of Pittsburgh. They moved to Providence in 1977 and Judy began her career as a reference librarian, working at Community College of Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University, Seekonk Public Library, and Barrington Public Library.
Judy felt a lifelong impulse to practice tikkun olam, a Jewish principle that prompts working toward repairing the world. She organized projects in her community, from rescuing abandoned houses to planting street trees to supporting local arts organizations, community gardens, and local progressive political leaders. After her son Mike learned to juggle and went on tour with Circus Smirkus, Judy was inspired to create the Providence Circus School, which offered studio classes, school residences, and student showcase performances.
Judy enjoyed teaching as part of her work, but she loved learning even more, and was always taking classes - in languages, painting, pottery, yoga, and city planning. She was an accomplished watercolor artist and ceramicist, painting lyrical portraits of houses and gardens and exploring architectural forms in both her paintings and her sculptures.
Among her greatest joys in life was giving children opportunities to be creative and then observing to see what they'd do. She invented unusual activities for her children's birthday parties, from relay races to guessing games to treasure hunts. At family gatherings, Judy could be depended upon to bring games, toys, or art supplies to share with the young cousins. Her playful spirit fed the deep connection she had with her grandchild, Aloe, who calls her Oma. Oma enthusiastically played make-believe games with Aloe and their stuffed animals, instigated messy art projects, and repurposed everyday objects as circus equipment.
Judy is survived by her brother David Anker and sister Janet Anker (husband Chuck Donnelly); her son Michael Plotz Sage (wife Valerie Kirkwood Sage); her daughter Martha Ingols (husband Kyle Ingols) and grandchild Aloe Ingols.
Those who wish to make a charitable donation in Judy's honor may choose one of the following organizations Judy supported, or any other organization that feels meaningful.
Circus Smirkus, https://www.smirkus.org/giving/ MusicWorks, https://communitymusicworks.org/ways-to-give-2/ Community Land Trust, https://www.southsideclt.org/donate/
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