Plotkin Living Her Best Life at 95
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Plotkin Living Her Best Life at 95

Four generations of a loving family came to Sandy Springs to celebrate Shirley Plotkin, a humble role model who liked to jitterbug

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

  • family reunited for Aunt Shirley Plotkin’s 95th birthday.
    family reunited for Aunt Shirley Plotkin’s 95th birthday.
  • Aunt Shirley Plotkin as a young woman.
    Aunt Shirley Plotkin as a young woman.
  • Shirley at her 94th birthday party.
    Shirley at her 94th birthday party.
  • No birthday party is complete without party favors.
    No birthday party is complete without party favors.
  • Aunt Shirley blows out the candle on her cake.
    Aunt Shirley blows out the candle on her cake.
  • Newlyweds Shirley and Sully slice their wedding cake.
    Newlyweds Shirley and Sully slice their wedding cake.

Relatives and friends gathered on Jan. 27 to pay tribute to Shirley Plotkin — mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and cousin to many.

Born in Scranton, Penn., nonagenarian “Aunt” Shirley is still reading intriguing Daniel Silva spy novels, watching movies, and playing bridge. As important is her connection to her extended family where she is the reigning matriarch.

Aunt Shirley Plotkin as a young woman.

The family actually started planning Shirley’s 95th birthday celebration on her 94th as it took just that long to rope in the branches of the family tree to Atlanta’s Mount Vernon Towers.

Great-niece, Lilli Jennison hatched the plot, “We knew Aunt Shirley was turning 95 on Jan. 27, 2024. We planned the party for a year. It all started at Aunt Shirley’s 94th birthday last year. We had a smaller lunch for her at Roasters. I spoke to my Aunt Margie, and said, ‘I want to do a big 95th birthday and make it a family reunion!’”

As the back story, Plotkin grew up in Peckville, Penn. When Aunt Shirley and Uncle Sully moved to Atlanta, she got a part-time job as a proofreader for the Harrison Company. After nine months, she was promoted to editor of law books where she served for 20 years. When the company was sold, she was offered a job in Wisconsin, but declined for obvious family reasons.

Newlyweds Shirley and Sully slice their wedding cake.

After all, Aunt Shirley’s bashert match was “made in heaven.” She and Sully were married 67 years. They met after the war at the Young Men’s Hebrew Association (50-plus years before JDate). Shirley was on break after two years at Syracuse University. When Sully saw her, he walked over and exclaimed, “I’m going to marry you!”

The January party was a grand surprise. Aunt Shirley’s son, Jon, brought her to the sunroom at her retirement home under the pretense of taking pictures. When she entered the room, she saw nieces and nephews, some of their kids, and even some of those kids’ kids. She also saw her friends from Mount Vernon Towers and her grandson, Jay, who delivered an even greater surprise by announcing that he would soon be moving to Atlanta. Artistically talented Jennison made a montage video of photos from Shirley’s life with a special section where those who couldn’t make it sent in videos of well wishes.

There were 21 first cousins — seven passed away and four were unable to attend.

There were 10 first cousins at the party, some of whom hadn’t seen each other since the last family reunion in 2002. Jennison explained the family tree, “My grandma was one of nine. All of the nine got married and had kids. The only one of the nine and of their spouses surviving is great Aunt Shirley.”

Aunt Shirley blows out the candle on her cake.

At the end of the party, Aunt Shirley had the last remark, “There are no words to express my joy and gratitude when seeing all my nieces and nephews and especially my grandson. It is an afternoon I will always treasure.”

Secret to a long happy life? “You just have to be lucky!” posited Plotkin.

Toasts Included:

Marlene Meyer: “Aunt Shirley’s 95th birthday party reunited first cousins that haven’t seen each other in over 20 years. It provided an opportunity to meet second and third cousins.  It was a treasured occasion, and our dear, Shirley, was at the center of it all.”

Burt Plotkin: “Aunt Shirley has three sons, Chuck, Jon, and Hal. I would go to New Jersey to visit them every summer and be included in their family. They were the ‘brothers’ I never had. Shirley did a lot of parenting in those days. She was graceful, wise, and offered her educated take on any situation. Great role model, I think of those times when it was my turn to parent.”

Benard (Bunny) Plotkin: “I was about 10 when they got married. I remember her as very sweet and a good dancer, in particular, the jitterbug.”

Linda Brickel: “Aunt Shirley is so sweet, kind, and patient. She took me for walks and bought me ice cream when I was young.”

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