Community mourns death of state Rep. Julie Plawecki of Dearborn Heights

The community has suffered the loss of a staunch supporter, tireless advocate and faithful friend with the untimely death of State Rep. Julie Plawecki.

The first-term legislator from Dearborn Heights died of a heart attack Saturday while hiking with family in Oregon. She was 54.

A wife, mother of three and friend to many, news of her sudden passing spread quickly throughout the community during the weekend, and was met with shock and sadness.

Dearborn Heights Mayor Daniel Paletko said he’ll most remember her commitment and concern for the community.

“She was very dedicated to education and concerned that all kids in Michigan receive a first-class education,” Paletko said. “She was always very concerned about her constituents’ problems and would call me and follow up if it was municipal related.”

Having known her and her family a long time, he said it feels as though he’s lost a family member as well.

“She was just a great person, and I always thought she would go further ahead career-wise.”

Dearborn Heights City Councilwoman Lisa Hicks-Clayton said Plawecki’s sudden death was “an absolute shock” to her and the community as a whole.

“Honestly, I’m still in disbelief,” she said. “She was such a compassionate and caring person — an educator, wife and mother. She served her constituents with dignity and I really admired her.”

Hicks-Clayton said that Plawecki was the the type of person who she could call at any time with a question or concern.

“I feel like I still can pick up my phone and call her,” she said. “Our community has suffered a great loss in the untimely death of a very wonderful person — not just as public servant but as a woman.”

She recalled last seeing Plawecki at the June 20 awards ceremony for the Hillcrest Kiwanis K Kids service club. “She was so good with the kids and was talking about how excited she was to go to Oregon and visit her daughters,” Hicks-Clayton said.

Both former teachers, she said that gave them a lot in common, including a fondness for children and eagerness to see them succeed.

“She always took time out to visit with members of our community, and especially encourage the kids in their endeavors,” she said. “She embraced that concept of building leaders for tomorrow.”

Plawecki was running unopposed for re-election in the August Democratic primary for the state’s 11th district, which includes Dearborn Heights, Garden City, Inkster, Livonia and Westland.

State. Sen. David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) broke the news Saturday to their constituents via a post on his Facebook page.

"It is with a heavy heart and overwhelming sadness that I share the news of the passing of Representative Julie Plawecki," Knezek said in his post.

She was elected to office in 2014. Her husband of 25 years, Mark Plawecki, is a 20th District Court judge.

They have three daughters.

Before beginning her political career, the longtime Dearborn Heights resident was a medical technologist and a teacher, according to her biography on the Michigan House Democrats’ website. She most recently had worked at St. Robert Bellarmine School in Redford.

She served on two House committees: Energy and Natural Resources.

As a fellow Dearborn Heights politician, Knezek said he felt a special bond with Plawecki, who worked with him as a “fellow candy-passer-outer at parades; a joint presenter of tributes” and in many other roles.

“Julie was just a great woman, that's all there is to it,” Knezek wrote in his post. “She was whip smart. She had a heart of gold. She was a bulldog on issues she cared about. She was a bulldog on issues you cared about, too.

“She was a model representative: absolutely zero ego, truly wanted to do good, treated her staff well and respected them. She got things done. The Legislature barely deserved her. Her constituents couldn't have asked for better.”

With her blonde bob and tall, lithe frame, Plawecki exhibited an air of confidence and quiet dignity that many around her admired.

“She was the epitome of class,” Knezek said. “Her style and grace came effortlessly.”

And she was a determined leader from the moment she took office, he added, leading on issues affecting children, senior citizens, veterans, energy and health policy.

“It was like she could do it all and was always happy to be doing it,” he said. “I know her colleagues in the House are going to ensure her work lives on. I pledge that those of us in the Senate will do the same.”

Gov. Rick Snyder issued the following statement shortly after the news of Plawecki’s death became public.

"Rep. Plawecki's passing is a shock to us all and Michigan has lost a fine and dedicated public servant,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in the statement. “The outpouring of support and grief from both sides of the aisle in both chambers of the Legislature are a testament to how much Julie cared about serving her constituents and the state of Michigan well and with distinction. Sue and I are

keeping her husband, her children, and her entire family in our thoughts and prayers."

Also saddened by the news of her death was Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, who released a statement saying, “Her career as a teacher and her time in the legislature are a testament to her commitment to our community. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband Mark and her three daughters.”

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