Teresa Mary Plucinski, M.D., PhD
(12 November 1948 - 7 February 2019)
Dr. Teresa Mary Plucinski peacefully passed away on 7 February 2019 at the East Carolina Medical Center in New Bern, North Carolina at the age of 70 with her brother Dominic at her bedside. She was preceded in death by her parents Edith (DiGilio) and Casimer Plucinski. She is survived by her brother, Dominic Plucinski (Jean Launspach), her nephews, Michael (Mary Beth) and Mark Plucinski, her niece, Lisa (Plucinski) Hackett (Josh Hackett), and her grandnephews Matthew and Mitchell Plucinski.
Teresa was born on Friday, 12 November 1948 in Buffalo, New York, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. She attended St. Monica parish grade school and Immaculata High School. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Doctorate in Animal Physiology from the University of California at Davis. After performing postdoctoral research, she attended the University of Virginia where she received her medical degree. She completed a residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota. She practiced medicine, instructed aspiring physicians, and conducted clinical research as an attending physician and faculty member in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at East Carolina Univesity and Pitt County Hospital, Greenville, North Carolina, until she became disabled due to failing health 15 years ago.
Teresa was a devoted and loving aunt to her nephews, Michael and Mark, her niece Lisa, and her grandnephews, Matthew and Mitchell. She encouraged and supported their education and religious devotion. She served as the sponsor for Holy Communion and Confirmation for her nephews and her niece. Despite her failing health and limited mobility, with an immense effort for many years, she traveled from North Carolina to Minnesota in the winter to join the family for Christmas and to offer her advice and encouragement to her niece, nephews, and grandnephews
Teresa cared for, bred, and showed her dogs, attending the Westminster Dog Show in New York City for many years, until she was physically unable to travel. Although Glory, her prize Aussie, received many awards, her dream to achieve Best-in-show at Westminster remained unfulfilled. Teresa's dogs leave behind them numerous litters of Aussies and Shelties providing companionship for many of her fellow devoted dog owners.
In the face of physical adversity and disability, Teresa displayed a dogged (pun intended) persistence to persevere and to live as fully as possible. She never abandoned her hope to practice medicine again in the service of the most sick and vulnerable patients. She endured great suffering holding onto life as long as possible.
The visitation will begin at 10 AM on 16 March 2019 at St. Margaret Mary Church, 2323 Zenith Avenue North, Golden Valley, Minnesota, 55422. The Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM. After Mass, lunch will be served in the parish Visitation Hall. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial to St. Margaret Mary Church.
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