Obituary of Doris Carol Pletman
Doris Carol Brown Pletman , a lifetime Capitol District resident, peacefully passed in her sleep at Kingsway Community after a courageous and determined battle with various ailments , surrounded by the love of her family and many friends on July 4, 2019 at the age of 91. Doris is a role model to all for the way she embraced her time at Kingsway, endeared herself to all around her, and lived each day to its fullest. Whether it was exercising and physical therapy to strengthen her legs and arms, find joy in daily visits from her sons and her close friends, build strong relationships with the Kingsway and Home Instead staff and enjoy the sense of humor of all those around her and the joy she did spread to others.
Born to Sadye and Abram Brown in Troy, New York on July 4, 1928, Doris resided in Troy for a few years, followed by a brief move to Brooklyn and then to Saratoga which she recalled a “wonderful life” there. Doris had a brother, Marvin “Buddy” Brown, two years her senior and she quickly earned the nickname “Sis” by her extended Saratoga family. Doris and, her husband, Robert settled in Schenectady for his medical practice and to raise a family.
Doris is predeceased by her adoring, dedicated, loving husband of 60 years, Dr. Robert Pletman, her best friend and partner in life. Doris is also predeceased by her brother, Marvin Brown of Atlanta (the late Harriet Brown).
Doris is survived by sons Michael (Schenectady) and Edward (Stoughton, Mass), her special niece Robyn Ripps (Scott) and Jodi Brown (Decatur, Georgia), Francea (Tim) McNair (Seattle, Washington), Barbara Levine Spector and grandniece Emma and grandnephew Jake (Decatur, Georgia), many cousins and extended family members that she adored.
In her youth, Doris was quite proficient at modern and toe dancing, starring in many dance recitals, the most memorable of which was to George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”
After graduating from Saratoga Springs School District, Doris attended Oneonto State Teacher College and then taught primary school in Troy and Schenectady. In 1956, Doris met the love of her life, Bob Pletman, at a relative’s Bar Mitzah. Doris began dating Bob before he was drafted into the army, serving in Iceland. They were married in 1957 on her July 4 birthday. Doris and Bob were an amazing example of a truly devoted loving couple who protected, admired and cared for each other for 60 years.
After spending time at West Point Academy, and in New Jersey, they returned to Schenectady for Bob’s Urologic career and to raise Edward and Michael. At this time, Doris continued her career teaching between grades kindergarten through sixth grade and later taking on the role of substitute teacher for many years in order to have her first priority raising her boys and being a devoted homemaker. Doris, over the years, remained active in Hadassah and Sisterhood as a member of Congregation Agudat Achim and often serving as chairperson of Hadassah fashion Shows and as membership chairperson. Doris enjoyed growing roses and African violets.
Doris was always very committed to her family and supporting Bob so that his medical practice would be so successful, including the nine years of the Schenectady Free Clinic that served those individuals without insurance; a goal of Bob’s and other retired members of the community. Doris’ constant help, support, and encouragement, were key factors in Bob’s reaching his medical goals. Doris made it a lifelong value that family came first and loved spending time with her immediate and extended family. She was famous for saying, as the family sat down to dinner, “Let’s eat slowly. We are not in a hurry.” She was Well-known for her amazing holiday dinners featuring desserts like pineapple cheesecake, Walnut coffee cake, and lemon squares.
Doris enjoyed cheering on the Union College hockey team and Red Sox with Bob and her sons. She adored dogs, having had special dogs that were true family members and also loved spending time with Michael’s dogs. Avid travelers, Doris and Bob enjoyed excursions with close friends to places Including Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden and Denmark. For many years Doris and Bob owned a house in the Adirondacks; a truly special part of their life for nearly 40 years, and enjoyed family time, relaxation, dinners with endearing lake friends, holidays, and simply spending time on the porch with the dog and Bob. Later, as Bob started retirement, many excellent Winters were spent in Bradenton and Annamarie Island, Florida.
Doris faced many physical challenges in the recent years, and she never complained and never wanted her sons to worry about her. She was a woman of strength, optimism, humor, and faith and especially during these trials and tribulations she had a beautiful ability of leaving others feeling better about themselves. She is a role model for this way of living. So many times, she astounded the staff of Kingsway and Home Instead and Friends and her sons as she would triumph and strengthen her legs and arms and walk more steps each day, proudly reporting that success to others. She persevered through illnesses and continued to surprise those around her.
The family wishes to thank the incredibly devoted, compassionate, and thoughtful Home Instead Team and the professional and dedicated members of the Kingsway Nursing. Both groups of people gave selflessly and with patience, kindness, and caring. The family deeply appreciates all of them.
Donations graciously appreciated in Doris Pletman’s name to Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union St 12309, Hadasssah ( Hadassah.org), and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Services will be held at Congregation Agudat Achim, 2117 Union Street in Schenectady on Sunday, July 7, 2019 at 2:00pm. Interment will follow in the Agudat Achim Cemetery in Rotterdam, NY
Doris will be deeply missed by her family. She changed the world and made it a much better place. The period of mourning will be observed at the Pletman residence, 2080 Baker Avenue in Schenectady on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evenings, commencing at 7pm and on Monday from 2-5pm.
