OBITUARY
Abbey J. PLOTKIN
March 31, 1961 – January 7, 2021
Abbey J. PLOTKIN was born on March 31, 1961 and passed away on January 7, 2021 in Tamarac, Florida and is under the care of Riverside - Stanetsky Memorial Chapels.
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Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
Memories
Abbey J. PLOTKIN
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ADD A MEMORYLucy Serra
January 25, 2021
Where do I start? Abbey, thank you for being you. Thank you for babysitting my little girl while I danced my butt off at your Socials. Thank you from all those years ago and for recently posting pictures of your glasses and hair colors on Facebook. Lol, I remember we both had purple hair at the same time. Thank you for your kindness. I wish we hung out more together, but maybe we'll meet again and continue our crazy convos. May God keep you close and may you teach His angels how to Salsa! Love you and miss you.
Angel perez
January 17, 2021
Is so many one of the wonderful memory I was going to a Cuban salsa dance spot. I know a few people but when I see Abbey we starting talk enjoying laughter. It was a nice experience . I never gone there first time but I really happy I decided to go. Our last time we dance was Central Park I will always remember Abbey she always know how to enjoy life.
Adelaida Rodriguez
January 16, 2021
DEAR ABBEY😍
SINCE THE EARLY 90'S WHEN YOU ASKED ANGEL AND I TO HELP CHOREOGRAPH💃💃💃 THE PHRASES TO
"TRATAME COMO SOY, BY TITO PUENTE, YOU BECAME A FRIEND🌺... A FRIEND THAT ACCEPTED EVERYONE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.
I'LL LOVE THE SONG EVER SO MORE WHEN I LISTEN TO IT & CARRY YOU IN MY THOUGHTS FOREVER 🌺YOU WERE A GIFT TO MANY, NOT ONLY WITH YOUR ARTISTRY BUT ALSO WITH YOUR HEART💓
GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL WITH HEAVENLY PEACE, LOVE & LIGHT🙏🕊️🕯️
MY GRATITUDE FOREVER MAMBO MAMA 🌟
ADDIE RODRIGUEZ AKA SALSADIVA💃
Ava Apple
January 15, 2021
They say you should always tell people that you love them and not wait until it's too late. I'm so thankful that this time I did - my last message to Abbey on 1/7/21 was telling her that I love her, and I know that she saw it, even though I did not get a reply.
I knew Abbey from the Salsa World, since the late 1990's. Missing her terribly and sending sincere condolences to her family.
Baruch Dayan HaEmet
Delia Nelson
January 15, 2021
My condolences to the family 🙏🏾. I wasn’t a personal friend of Abbey, however I knew her by attending salsa socials particularly Carlos Konig. She had a beautiful spirit and you could tell that music and dancing 💃🏾 was part of her being. Abbey your presence will truly be missed 😢
Maria Grieco
January 15, 2021
My condolences to the Plotkin family on Abby’s passing. Abby had so much life and was a true social butterfly in the dance community. She always welcomed me to join her group when out dancing, inclusive of everyone, a special skill. Abby you will be missed , may you RIP sweetie.
Wilder Nunez
January 14, 2021
We would like to thank the Plotkin family for blessing us with Abbey's presence. She was one of the most selfless, giving, caring, and loving human beings on the planet.
She's one of the reasons I was able to have the career I have today because she gave me an opportunity to help design her Mambo mamas website. The image I uploaded was one I was very proud of taking even though it was with a terrible camera.
She took great pride in the Salsa Community. Knew everyone's name, where they dance for, how they started, etc. It was remarkable to hear.
She never had a bad thing to say about anyone and even in her final days, despite what she was going through, she was still happy and ready to continue to take on the world.
When my wife Jaclyn, met her for the 1st time, she said Abbey was a wild woman full of life. I want to hang out with her more. Little did I know, so did so many other people that crossed paths with her.
My only regret out of this is I didn't get the chance to tell her how much I love her and thank her for everything
May you rest in peace Abbey. My condolences to her family and friends. We were all blessed by her friendship and will never forget you.
Love always,
Wilder & Jaclyn Nunez
Frank kanserstein
January 13, 2021
I am sorry to hear of your loss Mr. Plotkin, Jeff, Deb and Family. Abbey was too young to pass. I am sure a lot of people will miss her.
Shalom Frank K.
Sheila Anne Feeney
January 13, 2021
When I think of Abbey, I am reminded of the Maya Angelou quote: "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
Abbey made people feel great, whether she was boosting their confidence as a teacher, delighting an audience with her dance moves or making a partner laugh at her witty, flirtatious shines.
After the pandemic began, I went to one of her line dance classes at Project Find on W. 42nd St. Abbey and I enthused we had found the perfect solution to staying engaged in movement to music while the world was gripped by a deadly, highly contagious disease: Line dancing, baby! (Boy, did we turn out to be wrong: all future classes were canceled later that week.)
The class was held in a church basement, where clusters of homeless people sat around rinky-tink tables listlessly drinking orange juice out of plastic cups and eating white-bread sandwiches. Abbey exhorted them to get up off their butts and come and join her class. ("I KNOW you can dance!" she yelled at one guy.) A few of the guys complied and we all sweated and rocked out to her amazingly varied and funky soundtrack.
I loved Abbey for inviting the homeless guys to join her class. She lived her"one world" gospel and made people feel good about themselves and each other. She had people whooping for joy in a bloody pandemic. That's a helluva good legacy. I hope we all incorporate her inclusiveness and love for others in her memory.
Gigi _
January 13, 2021
I have not been able to come to terms but
What is certain is that I loved you from the moment I met you.
You were wisdom, strength, talent, and Love wrapped up in the beautiful You. You encouraged and praised without shame or regard to a status quo. You welcomed and nurtured anyone who came under your wing and stood up for anyone who needed a hero ... (whether you knew them or not)
The scene will never be the same without you .. and it’s only right..... because you were incredible (inside and out)... Incomparable... and unforgettable.
I will miss you and love you always.
- your salsa daughter-in-law
Laura Negrón
January 12, 2021
Abbey was a true pioneer. She forever changed my love of and sense of belonging in the salsa dance community, and I'm sure she had that impact on so many. She was generous with her talent and time, courageous, fun, full of life, an advocate of human rights, and welcoming of all people. I wish there were more people like her in the world. She will be sorely missed. Prayers and sincere sympathy for her family. 💃🏿🌈💔
J. Antonio
January 12, 2021
A true inspiration and "breaker of barriers" and stereotypes in the Salsa dance community. But above all, a wonderfully witty and kind soul. I will always cherish my dances with you Abbey! Make them "shine" in Heaven! Rest In Eternal Peace.
Sending my sincere condolences to the Plotkin family.
Maria Garcia
January 12, 2021
About my sweet friend, Abbey... She was the founder of Mambo Mamas in NYC . Big beautiful women dancing salsa professionally was a first, decades ago. Sometimes I would dance with her cause as a teacher, she knew partner work disciplines and could lead, salsa on2. She was so much fun, a rock in the salsa NYC dance community. She made everyone, especially beginners, feel they belonged no matter the level experience in dance and I loved it when she held court at the clubs, while fanning herself. Eventually, I’ll have to accept she’s gone, but for now her memories are still so real. Rest In Peace , dearest Abbey💕❤️🌺🙏
Caroline Paré
January 12, 2021
My sympathies to the family and closed friends...
I will always keep in my heart Abbey's wonderful soul! A real passionate, true and honest person like anyone else I know. Abbey was a model of a strong woman. She has shown me that dance shows were not only reserved to a certain physical appearance. Only soul and passion counted to have the right to get up on a stage and perform! She was so much fun to watch social dancing . Her loyalty was untouchable! I will always remember Abbey...my friend.. Go dance with Tito and Celia! xx
Lila Goodman
January 12, 2021
I am a relatively new friend of Abbey's, but was quickly able to fall under her inclusive spell. We met at the Gold Coast ballroom in Florida when she approached me to compliment my dance style. Then we danced together (she led). What a wonderful memory I have of her face, laugh, demeanor. We spoke several times when she arrived last November in Florida and planned meeting for an outdoor lunch. For me - Abbey was "friend-in-waiting" for the pandemic to subside. I will miss her.
Andrea Bodnar
January 11, 2021
What can I say about my dear friend Abbey?
A joyful, uplifting, colorful (and always color coordinated) spirit. A love for all people and animals. Always able to find the good and the fun in everything!
She brought people together with her love of dance, and good music.
Me and Abbey, out and about late into the night going for yummy latkes at Veselka with friends after dancing at Solas Bar on Wednesdays.
Abbey teaching me line dance steps with our masks on and My Tigra tied to the railing outside the Church in The Gardens. We had fun.
She was an amazing generous and loyal friend!
She was always willing to listen and never to judge.
As another friend recently said, she lived her activism, making sure everyone felt included and celebrated!
But mostly now I'm so sad that she was just embarking on a whole new chapter in sunny warm Florida and she deserved that!
I imagined that there would be many more years to enjoy.
We will miss you Abbey and we will try to carry that spark, that light that was always around you!
Angie Martinez
January 11, 2021
Abbey was such a good friend and she had a heart of gold, we use to get together for salsa events everyone loved her abbey was spunky and so full of life she always carried doggie treats so when see use to see someone with a pet no matter who it was she give them a treat, she loved animals and always talk alot about her cat Tito . We laugh and dance so much we were planing on meeting in the summer when I go out there she be telling me you better come See me.I'm still in disbelief of her passing its not fair. She was so excited and happy to move to Fla. & be near her dad. My thoughts and prayers to the Family May she R.I.P in heaven with her Mom,she will always be in my heart... Love you Abbey
Leslie Schatzer
January 11, 2021
I loved Abbey. Whenever I arrived at a salsa event she gave me a huge hug as if I were her best friend, of which she had many. I will miss her so very much. Dancing will not be the same without her.
Donna Weinstock
January 11, 2021
Abbey was a warm, caring and friendly person. When she heard I was in Florida last winter, she called me and asked if I would like to go to the Goldcoast Ballroom with her. I said I could meet her but had no way to get home. Abbey said no problem and drove way out of her way to take me home. She also introduced me to all her friends and kept coming over to make sure I was having a good time. That was Abbey. I will miss her smiling, happy face. She was truly one of a kind!
Donna Kaplan
January 11, 2021
I knew Abbey from the New York salsa scene in about 1996 I would be going dancing with my then boyfriend at Gonzales and Gonzales and I saw Abbey at Lincoln Center for the Midsummer swing
Then in 2017 Abbey came to the Arts Garage in Delray Beach to see Tito Puente Junior
We danced in the back and had a lot of fun
I enjoyed seeing her on TV with the Mambo Mammas
I’m sending condolences to the family
She will be missed by many people that loved her. She had a wide impact on many people
terrance carney
January 11, 2021
I was so honored to have had the opportunity to dance with Abbey and include her in one of my publications (Interlude: Conversation with Friends). She was always honest, true to the dance and to herself. It was a pleasure to be in her company.
Condolences to the family. We stand with you in your moment of loss. Peace & Blessings.
Linda Anton
January 11, 2021
I met Abbey thirty years ago when we were taking mambo classes with Eddie Torres. We became fast friends and when I moved to south Fl twenty six years ago, we still kept in touch and I would see her when she visited south FL. Dancing was her passion and she had so many wonderful friends and added so much to the salsa scene in NYC. I was so proud of her when she formed "The Mambo Mamas" and even more excited when I saw them perform on TV.
I was thrilled when she moved to south FL the end of November and was looking forward to sharing more adventures with her in the future. She had only been living here five days when she went to a biker bar to hear me play with a band! That's what I loved about Abbey. It didn't matter about distance or event as long as it was a fun thing to do......I can't believe you are gone. You touched so many lives and will be greatly missed....RIP Abbey. Love you......
Lauretta Goforth
January 11, 2021
I spoke with Abbey on the day she left us and even then she was thinking about all her loved ones wanting everyone to know how much she loved them. Abbey and I were friends for 30 years and she was as much fun and supportive and generous out of the dance world as in it. She was a connector introducing people to each other since she knew everyone in the dance scene. Mambo without Abbey's ubiquitous presence? Unimaginable! My deepest sympathies to her father and family.
Ralph Gendron
January 11, 2021
My sincere condolences to Abby's family. I met Abby about 7 or 8 years ago at Mr. Mike's in Orange, my band was playing and she gave us a nice compliment. Very nice person.
Samantha Williams
January 10, 2021
Abbey was the first friend I made when I moved to New York city in 1995. We auditioned for a modern dance performance, were chosen, and then I became a Mambo Mama. After, few days passed without us talking, seeing, or dancing with each other while I lived in NYC.
I had never met anyone so open and full of life before I met Abbey. Her opinions were as strong as her loyalty to family and friends, and her love of dance, animals, freedom, a good movie and traveling
My life was forever changed having had Abbey in it. Life will never be the same without her. Miss and love you, Abbey.
Deepest condolences to Mr. Plotkin and the Family.
Rosalind Gortz
January 10, 2021
The last time I saw Abby, about a year and a half ago, she was the MC for a memorial at Jimmy Anton's Dance Studio. The memorial was for our dear friend and salsa performer Karen Nash. Abby talked to the many people there about the history of Salsa, and drew all of us together-young and old, to celebrate the memory of Karen Nash. She performed with some salsa dancers and was outstanding as usual. But what I noted most about Abbey that night was her wonderful communication skills with people of all ages.
Aside from being a wonderful dancer, she was also a beautiful, loving human being. In the Salsa community, we think of others in our community as family. She was one of our family and will be greatly missed. Rosalind Gortz
Miguel A
January 10, 2021
I’ve been trying to ignore your departure and I can’t verbalized those emotions.
I’ll always miss you.
-Your salsa son.
Luz Hernandez
January 10, 2021
I remember always seeing her in new York dancing and different color hair. She was a wonderful person. Love her. So so sorry of her passing. .rest I n PEACE my friend
Elba Colon
January 10, 2021
Abbey & I became fast friends at a time when I felt a little jaded with the dance scene. Through her I had a friend to share laughs & good times. I admired her ability to work the room at any social event. She was a sparkling social butterfly whose job was to spread joy wherever she went. She was bold & called herself a Jewish ham for loving the attention she so rightly deserved. She managed to get the best dances that always ended with giant hugs & laughter. She gifted me with her joy, her boldness, & the courage to live each day to the fullest. I will forever love Abbey, & she will forever live in my heart ❤.
Karen Arthur
January 10, 2021
Abbey's witty commentary whether she was chatting about growing up in Mass or the salsa dance scene made me smile. She cut through all the layers to get to the point which made her an authentic human being. Physically she's gone but her gleeful spirit remains. My condolences go out to the Plotkin family and all of us who treasured her presence.
Susan King
January 10, 2021
I was scrolling thru all my messages from Abbey and this excerpt from 2013 is perfect “don’t let anyone tell you are too much - maybe they are too little - stay loud and proud sister”. If thatdoesn’t capture Abbey, I don’t know what does. 💔
your forever friend,
S’osborne
Allen Young
January 10, 2021
As saddened as I am by her way-too-early departure from this troubled world, I am happy to say that I met Abbey when she was a teenager, watched her dance with the Mambo Mamas, and danced with her myself. She knew the importance of having fun, but she also cared about her friends, family and the state of the world. She will be missed by many. Sincere sympathy wishes go out to the wonderfully warm immediate Plotkin family, extended Plotkin family, as well as Abbey's friends near and far.
Ruth Robertson
January 10, 2021
My sympathy to all the Plotkin family. Abbey was a unique individual to know her was to love her quirky ways. Always willing to talk about family whenever we got together. She was extremely proud of all their accomplishments. I enjoyed the times spent with her at Plotkin Furniture when she breezed into town or the many gatherings at Jeff and Debbie's. Charlie and family may your fun memories keep her close to your hearts and bring you comfort in the days ahead. May she be dancing forever with her family and friends. Love to all of you ,Ruth
Gloria Varno
January 10, 2021
My condolences to the whole family. I use to babysit every afternoon when I got off the bus in front of their house. Mrs. Plotkin use to go into the store to help until closing and I would take care of Abbey who was in diapers and help the others with homework. Then give them supper. We would play until their folks came home. Sometimes Mrs. P would come home alone and could not leave to bring me home so, their dog, Lassie, would walk me down Pequoig Ave, then I would tell her to go back home and she would. Great memories of my high school years. Abbey, may she rest in peace. My thoughts are with all of you. Love, Gloria Varno
Pat and Tom Burpee
January 10, 2021
Our condolences to family and friends. RIP Abbey 😔🙏💗