Penny Babs Plotsky, 81, died from Alzheimer’s disease at Clover Care Residential Home, Shawnee, KS on July 3, 2021. Penny was born June 24, 1940, in Kansas City, MO.
Penny was preceded in death by her parents, Goldie and Robert Plotsky and younger brother, Kenneth. Her maternal grandparents were Libbie Brandeis and Israel (Izzy) Bettinger and her paternal grandparents were Rose Leichter and Louis Plotsky.
After graduating from Southwest High School in 1958, Penny wanted to mix her love for the tropics with academics and selected the University of Miami, where she found a new passion for the arts when she selected an art history course and became fascinated with all facets of the art world from classical to contemporary.
To satisfy her keen interest in movies and acting, Penny moved to Los Angeles in her mid-20s. During her three years in LA, she used her vibrant personality and natural talent to locate new homes for many Hollywood elites and stars as well as new corporate arrivals moving from other localities.
Because she longed for Kansas City, Penny returned home in her late 20s, studied method acting and performed in her first play, receiving great reviews by the Star’s theater critic.
She learned to play the piano and took voice lessons. At the same time, Penny was able to use her expanding knowledge of art history and her innate design abilities to open a very successful custom frame shop combined with a lovely art gallery focusing on local artists in all media in 1969 at Ranch Mart Center in Leawood, KS.
Ranchmart Gallery and Frame Shop remained in operation until 1996, totaling 27 years. Her framing talents and engaging personality drew many loyal customers as she truly produced beautiful framed works of art, which are still in many lovely homes throughout Kansas City and elsewhere.
She continued to use her artistic skills in working part-time at the Source Fine Arts in Westport for seven years, honing her talents in the corporate world in finding appropriate works for many KC companies, again promoting local artists.
On a personal note, Penny cared lovingly for her parents and brother, all of whom had Alzheimer’s disease until their deaths, at the same time working both full- and part-time, totaling 13 years.
Penny is mourned by her many dear friends who will not forget her energetic personality, her beautiful smile and sunny disposition, her humor and fun spontaneity, her loyal friendship, and her compassion for animals and they in turn responded to her, like an animal whisperer, particularly her living 53-year-old double yellow headed Amazon parrot, Henry Higgins.
Penny’s real passion was to attend regularly as many theater productions here and everywhere as she could, particularly New York’s Broadway scene. She was especially fond of seeing Tina Turner’s concerts and attended multiple times.
She loved eating out and eagerly ate any nationality of food as long as the food didn’t eat her first! Her local favorites were Tatsu’s and the American Restaurant on special occasions, and definitely French cuisine was special. She enjoyed wine, both white and red, and for celebrating, champagne please. When many think of Penny, many say, “A Classy Lady.”
Playing golf, which she in her youth was quite good, and a golf pro who instructed her felt she had the potential to become a pro golfer. She also enjoyed fishing whenever she was near a lake, and if there were fishing signs, she was ready to get a rod and reel.
Penny would want to enthusiastically thank her closest friend, Bette Friedberg, for her enduring devotion and vital friendship for over 40 years. Also Jeanne Reeder, founder of the Metro KC Alzheimer’s Association’s Day Care Program and Melanie Klover, owner, and the many loyal and professional caregivers at Clover Care Residential Home.
If you wish to send a donation, please consider a contribution to Clover Care Residential Home, 6320 Zarda Dr., Shawnee, KS 66226 or Jeanne’s Place, c/o 7201 Maple St., Overland Park, KS 66204.
Graveside services were held on July 8, 2021 at Rose Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at www.louismemorialchapel.com (Arrangements entrusted to The Louis Memorial Chapel, 816-361-5211).
