Pauline J. (Shepardson) Plotkin

ATHOL- Pauline J. (Shepardson) Plotkin, 85, passed away Thursday, September 8, 2022 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner after a long period of declining health.                                                                                                

Born in Winchendon to Rachel (Manty) and Victor Shepardson, she grew up in Phillipston and graduated from Athol High School in the class of 1955.                                                                                                    

Pauline loved to bake, shop (especially antiquing with her sister Helen) and help anyone or anything that needed some assistance. She was well known by family and friends for her brownies (known at many parties as “Pauline Brownies”), sponge cake, Finnish flapjacks and her chocolate chip cookies—and for serving them while dressed to the nines. She prepared many meals for friends, neighbors and family as they battled health issues, all while triumphantly persevering over the fact that she was battling two autoimmune diseases for decades.

She rescued many kittens from horse barns and helped them get re-homed. She also kept a few along the way, to the delight of her husband Dick, who was also an animal lover.                                                                                                                                                                     

Pauline was a member and past president of the Athol Women's Club, a member of the Athol Hospital Auxiliary for many years and she spent some time as a member of the Red Hats, which she participated in with her best friend Barbara.                                                                                                                    

Pauline’s greatest source of pride and joy was in her role as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Her grandchildren had a special place in her heart and she ended every conversation with her son and daughter-in-law with, “Send my love to my grandchildren.”  She had an enthusiasm for family, extended family and beyond. While she was often spoiling her immediate family, she was also known for showering love upon and spoiling the children of her nephews, nieces and cousins.                            

Pauline will be deeply missed by many. She leaves her son Gregory Rushford and his partner, Lisa, of Phillipston, and her son Erik Plotkin, his wife Heather and their children, Tyler, Alisa, and Gavin of Groton. She also leaves brother-in-law Rolly Rochon and his children, niece Deborah Knott and her husband Bill and their family; nephews Paul Rochon and his wife Babs and their family, Glenn Rochon and Daniel Rochon and her stepmother Betty Shepardson Davidson; sister-in-law Toby Lee Gilfix and her children, Ron Gilfix and his wife Suzanne and their family and Lisa Kleeman and her husband David and their family as well as many cousins who had a special place in her heart.                                                               

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 52 years Richard (Dick) Plotkin, who passed in March, sister Helen Rochon, brother-in-law Benjamin Gilfix and many aunts and uncles. She had a special relationship with her late aunt Elma Point of Miami, who referred to her as “Little Sis.”       

A graveside service will be held at Silver Lake Cemetery, off Horrigan Avenue, Athol, on Thursday, September 22,2022   at 11 a.m.                                                                                                                         

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the AHS Scholarship Association, where a scholarship fund was established previously in Pauline’s honor. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating female student who has been recognized by teachers as having shown great academic effort and a desire to continue on to college. Donations may be sent to the Athol High School Scholarship Association, PO Box 338, Athol, MA 01331 or made online at www.ahsscholarship.org  (please specify Pauline Shepardson Plotkin - AHS class of 1955).

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

Guest book and directions online at WWW.WITTYFUNERALHOME.COM

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