Marilyn Plonka, 76, of Madison, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, November 6th. Marilyn was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Huntsville. She loved her husband and best friend dearly and devoted her life to caring for him.
She was predeceased by her parents, Steve and Mary Levering, and by her siblings, James Zeka, Joanne Slominsky, and William Zeka. Survivors include her husband, Steve Plonka of Madison; sister, Marlene McCallum of Arvada, Colorado; and many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.
Despite a life filled with pain and suffering, her thoughts and actions were always for others. Over the years, her generosity literally touched thousands, almost none of whom knew the source of their gifts. One of those was the Salvation Army, to whom she would deliver hundreds of beautifully wrapped presents every Christmas. She would spend the year buying items, but many of them were beautiful handmade afghans, baptismal blankets, baby caps, and shawls that she would crochet or sew. She never sought credit for her kindness and charity – in fact, she shied away from any recognition or praise, choosing to remain anonymous. Rather than focusing on her physical limitations, she lived a beautiful life of humility, kindness, and grace. Those who knew of her many hardships, never having met her, when doing so and expecting a bedridden and complaining person, instead found this smiling, positive, and beautiful lady, and in one’s words, “the sweetest, most caring and loving lady I’ve ever met or known.”
She had so many skills and talents, including those any interior decorator would be proud to have. She spent much of her time making and buying doll house furniture, arranging it in settings that amazed people who marveled at her amazing talent, creativity, and attention to detail. In addition, she would make handmade items with the furniture as unique gifts, especially created and tailored to each person. She had an impeccable ability to entertain, set a table, and being the epitome of a gracious and thoughtful hostess.
She studied the lives of Mother Teresa and Saint Bernadette of Lourdes, and always strived to emulate them, always believing she was never doing enough for those less fortunate. Like both of those saints and the suffering they bore, she chose not to focus on herself, but others.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 12th, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home in Huntsville, Alabama, with a rosary to follow. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, November 13th, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation in Huntsville with Father Joy Nellissery officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery following Mass. Honorary pallbearers will be Howie DeVrieze, Curt Hessler, Elbert Edwards, and Steve’s 1965 class of Battle Ground Academy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor, 1655 McGill Avenue, Mobile, AL, 36604-1299, or to the Community Free Clinic, 410 Sivley Road SW, Huntsville, AL, 35801.
