Julie Plawecki’s siblings letting go of balloons.

DETROIT — A giving woman has perished, but her honorable work continues.

On Sunday, a homeless man in front of a Detroit shelter eulogized the late Julie Plawecki, while her siblings eyed the balloons they’d just released into the heavens in her honor.

To the needy who received a plate of food from her every Sunday, she was more than just the state representative from Dearborn Heights.

“It’s gonna be hard to replace the work Julie did when she was here,” said the homeless man. “But I thank God all of you are coming out; it shows us that support is still going on.”

The memorial was held in Plawecki’s memory at a distribution of food for the homeless near the Masonic Temple, organized by Project Dignity Outreach, where she regularly volunteered.

Plawecki, 54, died on June 25 from a heart attack while hiking with her daughter in Oregon.

She was serving her first term in the 11th District, which covers portions of Dearborn Heights, Livonia and Westland and all of Inkster and Garden City. She was hailed as a humanitarian and a dedicated leader by fellow legislators and others who knew her.

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

Continuing Plawecki’s legacy, her brothers and sisters handed out food to a crowd of Detroit’s homeless who anticipate the weekly distribution as one of their few regular meals.

However, Plawecki kept her involvement with Project Dignity unpublicized. She never bragged about it.

Her brother Jim Pawloski said unlike many in politics who toot their own horns about their charitable efforts, his sister never sought recognition.

“She was quiet and just went about her business and just did what she thought was right,” he said.

Jim Pawloski was on a business trip in Japan when he received a devastating phone call from another sister.

He said he was in “total shock” and disbelief at his sister’s death.

“How could someone so young with so much ahead of her go so quickly?” he asked.

Chris Pawloski, the late representative’s eldest sibling, said he was humbled to participate in the event, although the family had no idea of the “incredible” things their sister did.

He described the young Julie as shy, which is why her announcement to run for state rep. came as a surprise to her relatives.

“It’s so sad that she left us early, because she really found her voice in doing things like this,” he said.

Chris Pawloski also said his family’s strong ties are helping him cope with the anger and grief.

“I know Julie is watching us and saying ‘I brought them all back again,'” he said.

Nahid Ayyoub, Project Dignity’s president, said she feels like Rep. Plawecki never left and continues to assist the homeless.

She recalled Plawecki pulling to a curb near the food station and directly joining the volunteers. Ayyoub added Plawecki did not like to be in any of the pictures and made a monetary donation every time.

“I don’t know Julie the state rep.; I know Julie the humanitarian,” Ayyoub said.

En lieu of flowers, Plawecki wished for monetary contributions to be made to charities, including Project Dignity.