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Question: engine dies when slowing down

It doesn't happen right at first when engine is 'cold' but when you slow down to turn onto another street or you're stopping for a light - the engine just dies. Very little warning. You can feel a little shaking and try to step on gas or put it in neutral and hit gas but it's to late, the engine will die. Then you lose power steering and brakes. Very dangerous.
Just replaced plugs, rotor, distributor cap and plug wires. Passenger side plugs seemed fairly clean. Drivers side had more gunk on them. Drivers side rear plug had most - kind of a light colored powder.
This is all wife has to drive. Got to make it work. Was her father's. Little maintenance done to it.
I've used throttle cleaner and fuel additive or cleaner but it's made no noticeable difference.
The car still has what sounds like a skip in it. The engine makes no noise, no tapping or knocking.
I appreciate any suggestions for what to check. I'll answer any questions.
Thank you.
Lloyd