Doreen Plotkowski

May 2, 1960 ~
November 27, 2021

Born in Detroit, MI, Doreen graduated from Utica-Eisenhower High School and Oakland University with a B.S. in Microbiology. She began her career as a Medical Technologist at Harper Hospital in Detroit. Later in life, her travels to the Amazon rainforest with each of her children and her love for animals led her to become the owner of the Casa La Parrot pet shop in Wyoming, MI. There she was Mom to everyone from the many staff she helped nurture, to the customers, and of course, the birds. Her home is filled with “wounded warriors'' that she nurtured back to health and then could just not let go. She took great pride in continuing to employ the entire Casa staff throughout the Covid emergency. Throughout her life Doreen opened her heart, her life, and her home to many in need of support and a welcoming place. She is most proud of the wonderful people that her children have become and how wonderful they are as parents to their own children. She is survived by her husband of 37 years Paul; children Alex (Andrea) Plotkowski, Jessica (Phil) Oegema; and grandchildren Natalie, Olivia, Spencer and James.

Leave Your Tribute Message

December 04, 2021

When I think of Doreen, I think of fun, knowledgeable and organized! I remember the faculty wives playgroup Doreen organized for our kids when her Jessie and my Tricia were just 2 years old! What fun we had together spending time visiting at each other’s homes! So very nice for me because I was new in town. I remember Doreen’s organized kitchen cabinets, home office and kids’ play room and always envied how Doreen always “had it all together!” I remember a fun Halloween party that Doreen hosted for the kids, a trip to Holland State Park together, going out to lunch just the two of us, and inviting Doreen on a “shop till you drop” bus outing in Chicago with my church ladies group. There were many GVSU functions along the way. Where did the time go? Our kids grew up and became adults in the blink of an eye! Doreen was very proud of her husband’s accomplishments, her talented kids, her own job she ran from home and it didn’t surprise me at all that she started her own pet store business! Where Doreen got all of her energy I’ll never know! She was truly gifted and involved in many areas. My life was enriched by knowing Doreen and I’m certainly going to miss her! Nancy Garrett

- Nancy Garrett

November 29, 2021

Doreen was one of the kindest and sweetest persons I have known. I know she will be greatly missed by her family, business staff, customers and many others.

- Eldon Bliek