Constance Plucinsky
September 17, 1937 - December 22, 2023
Constance Marie Plucinsky, affectionately known as Connie to her friends and loved ones, took her final, grand curtain call on December 22, 2023. Born in Passaic, New Jersey, on September 17, 1937, she lived a vibrant life filled with laughter, learning, and a touch of sass. Connie passed away in Ridgewood, New Jersey, due to a stroke, but not before leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and funny bones of everyone she encountered.
Connie's journey began as a bright-eyed student at Paterson State College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in 1959. Her thirst for knowledge was unquenchable, leading her to obtain a Master of Arts from Seton Hall University in 1970, followed by postgraduate work there in 1975 and at William Paterson College starting in 1989. She was a lifelong learner in the truest sense, and she had an arsenal of diplomas to prove it.
Her professional life was dedicated to shaping young minds as a teacher and guidance counselor. Connie's career began in the Garfield Board of Education, then took her to the Paramus Board of Education, and eventually to the Bergen Gifted Child Society. She wasn't just any educator; she was the cool counselor who could talk about the birds, the bees, and algebra with equal flair. Connie's later years saw her as the administrative assistant to the superintendent and the coordinator for sex equity, where she championed equality with a sharp wit and even sharper pencil.
Connie's avocations were as unique and lively as her personality. Not everyone can claim the dual titles of equestrian competitive rider and chicken farmer, but Connie wore them like badges of honor. She was as comfortable on the back of a horse as she was chasing chickens around the farm, all while maintaining her impeccable sense of humor. No one could forget her beloved basset hound Mickey whom she never left home without.
She was a proud member and project director on the advisory board for various educational initiatives and even supervised the S.A.T. program for the Educational Testing Service in Princeton. Connie's involvement in education was not just a career; it was a calling. She inspired countless students and colleagues to reach for the stars, even if, as she would joke, "you'll mostly end up with a handful of stardust in your eyes."
Connie leaves behind a loving family who inherited her quick wit and passion for life: her daughter Carolyn Plucinsky, her sisters Lee Carol Goralski and Elaine Goralski, her grand niece Aliana Dionisio and the memories of her late nephew Michael Dionisio and husband, William Plucinsky. They will remember her not just for her accomplishments but for her infectious laughter and the joy she brought to every room she entered.
Connie's life was a testament to the power of humor, the importance of education, and the love of all creatures great and small. She approached life as she did her beloved horses: with confidence, grace, and a little bit of mischief. Her legacy will gallop on in the stories shared, the lessons taught, and the laughter that echoes in the halls and fields she once roamed.
So here's to Constance Marie "Connie" Plucinsky: a remarkable woman, a beacon of light, and a teller of the best (and worst) chicken jokes. As she would say, "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it less horse-like." Ride on, Connie, ride on.
Tennis match, Spring 1974
Sundae Night, February 1973
Kathleen Wilkins (Banfield) (1977)
Rest in eternal peace, Mrs Plucinsky. I appreciate all you did for me and Cappy back in 1977. Your memory lives on.Late March, 1995.Mr P driving, my dad exchanging political quips in the front passenger side. Mrs P doling advice on how to manage my newly acquired Quarter horse. Me, trying to glimpse said horse in the trailer behind us
That's the memory I will always treasure. When Mrs P was just as excited as I was when I got my first horse.
Our friendship continued after graduation from PHS.The Plucinsky family moved to a farm in Mahwah; my family relocated to Oakland. Sadly, misfortune would squelch our respective hopes. Mrs and Mr P handled their losses better than I did.
Sandi Schwartz (Goldzweig) (1970)
Does anyone know if Connie Plucinsky was also a teacher at Ridge Ranch elementary school prior to working at Eastbrook?
Joe Vallone (1969)
She was my seventh grade teacher in Eastbrook too. She made you work hard but we sure did learn. She had a big heart.
The students in that class became better people due to her influence. Rest in Peace Mrs. Plucinsky.
Jill Pepe (Gregory) (1970)
A wonderful and beautiful woman. She was a driving force bringing her smile and laughter to your room. Always involved in school activities and her students. She made a difference in education. The Paramus school district was blessed to have her on their staff. She loved Christmas and always had friends and staff at her home. She had many Christmas villages displayed all around her house all year long. She loved her dog who was in many commercials and always worried about her horses. She loved life and lived it.
Thanks for the great memories Connie. Jill Pepe Gregory 1970
Cindy Bowlin (1975)
My condolences to Mrs Plucinsky's family. She had a positive impact on so many students lives, including mine.
Mary Carroll (Ellis) (1977)
I had the privilege of growing up across the street from Mrs. Plucinsky. We spent a lot of time there and at their lake house. She'd make us silver dollar pancakes breakfast picnics with in the woods. We were required to come back with "specimens". Great times! My condolences to Cary and her family.
John Feane (1977)
Whow- We are gettig old. She was a real pretty girl. She looked like she could have been a movie star. I will miss her. RIP. Thank You, John Feane
Lee Kuchenreuther (1974)
Fellow classmates and friends;
Mrs Plucinsky was my PHS guidance counselor. (1971-74) w/weekly appointments and, I'd stop in often, at her office, to say, hello. She always had a smile. Always busy, but made the time. Such a happy, calming, soul for an introverted, anxious student. She told me it was 'OK' to do a professional career and i should do what i want in life, without worrying that all my peers were 'going to college'. (which i couldn't afford). She suggested college level HS courses, anyway, to "always challenge my brain and to learn as much as you can wherever you are". Yes, so right! I will always be grateful for her support. One of the key people of my life back then at PHS. She had 'answers' for my many questions. Somehow, i thought how cool it would be, to continue to seek her wise words, later in my life, on a professional level. AND, to thank her! I went on to take those challenging HS classes, and met some great inspirational PHS teachers that way as well. I went from doubting teachers, due to issues in elementary and middle school, to trusting again. I went from lots of angst, doubt and poor test results, to actually liking all the teachers i had in high school, and exceeding my expectations. Especially science, physics, psychology, history, human social history and advanced english, even! I took a PT job, late Junior yr, at a bank, and then eventually onward to aviation maint. FAA tech school. The bank job allowed me to pay my way for the school. I don't think i would have done that without her voice of confidence. Glad we met, and she gave me that gentle push: She said; " I believe you CAN, and why not TRY? You're only here (HS) once in life". By JR year, she had advised to load up the majors, and so i had enough credits to actually graduate by then. So mostly senior courses were more for 'fun' learning. This enabled me to do the half day/work program. At 18, signed myself out almost daily. Onward!!
My condolensces to her families, and many friends.
RIP Ms Plucinsky, and thankyou for my "Wings".
Lee Kuchenreuther, PHS 1974.
Kudos also go out to: (in random memory) ..because of her help. "talk to them, as well"....she mentioned.
Ms Ruby Bishar
Ms Wallah
Ms Soborsky
Mr Schepps
Mr Anderson
Mr Stellar
Ms Bostonian
Mr Kingsley
Mr Craig
Hon. Rep. Mr Bill Pascrell
Don Scheck (1967)
Mrs. Plucinsky was my 7th grade teacher at Farview School. I have good memories from being in her class. One of her teaching strengths was the ability to identify a student's talents and to foster their development. Thanks, Mrs. Plucinsky, for contributing to the good fortune that I have enjoyed in my life.
Don Scheck
Carole Leavy (Moore) (1974)
To the Family of Constance Plucinsky - I send my love and prayers to you all.
I lived around the corner from Mrs. P in Paramus and got to witness her as a neighbor and mom - both stellar. I was lucky to be invited to her house at the lake and was thrilled when we picked blueberries with her and ate them with milk and sugar. She took us to the lake to swim and there she sat - all gloriously - in a 2-piece bathing suit with sunglasses and reading her book. A great memory. She drove a Thunderbird, too! There was also that sad day that some child was visiting relatives in our neighborhood and so was unfamiliar with the landscape. The child came flying down Hemlock Drive on a borrowed bike and turned into Buttonwood, where Mrs. P lived, but did not make the turn well and hit the curb. The child lay lifeless in the street. Neighborhood kids came and stood and watched in shock. Mrs. P came out of her house calmly and called for help, putting a blanket on the child, explaining to us that the blanket was to help the child from going into shock. The child was seriously injured. I never knew what happened to that child - even if the child survived. But the child was taken care of in the most proper way and what I knew in my heart that day was that Mrs. P was an angel. In 10th grade, Mrs. P became my guidance counselor. In September of that year, she called me into her office and told me that I should be in honors classes. I laughed at the thought of that. I was not a straight A student, I told her. She told me that did not matter and that I belonged in those classes. In my home life, my mother's depression was difficult, and no one really helped me with school or cared to encourage me in that way. My mother was wonderful, but life was definitely difficult at times. Mrs. P must have witnessed some of that as she lived within ears’ distance from my home. She believed in me on that day in September of 1971 and encouraged me to take those classes and try harder and do better. I thrived in those classes and found a new confidence in myself that was not there before. I have always been grateful to her for that but never told her. I am hoping she feels the love coming from me and others in Paramus who benefitted from her and never got a chance to really thank her properly. Thank you, Mrs. P.
Carole Moore (Leavy 1974)