A funeral mass for Beatrice E. Ptak, 88, of Gouverneur, will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at 10 a.m., at St. James Catholic Church, Gouverneur, with Fr. Stephen Rocker officiating .Burial will be in the New St. James Cemetery, Gouverneur. Calling hours are scheduled for Friday, January 20, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at the Green Funeral Home, Gouverneur.
Mrs. Ptak died Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at the Kinney Nursing Home, in Gouverneur.
Born May 31, 1923, on the family farm in the Town of Harrisburg NY, she was the daughter of William and Helen (McDonald) Burke. Bea was most proud of her Tug Hill farming and Irish roots. She had an easy, giving nature and a smile for everyone. Her quiet gentleness, warmth, and sense of humor enriched all she met. The great love she had for her family will be deeply missed. She graduated from Lowville Academy and the Watertown School of Commerce.
Beatrice was married to Carl J. Ptak, on January 15, 1949, at Holy Family Church, Watertown, with Rev. A.J. Farrell officiating. Mr. Ptak died April 13, 1991.
Mrs. Ptak worked as a secretary at the Bagley and Sewell Company, in Watertown, at the time of her marriage. Upon moving to Gouverneur in 1950, she worked for Bligh Dodds and for Dodds Motor Company. Bea then worked at Gouverneur High School for 25 years, retiring in 1985 as the principal's office secretary.
Bea enjoyed her home, reading, knitting, playing bridge, and was a wonderful cook. She was a person of simple honest faith, a member of the Rosary Society at St. James Church and was an active contributor at the Gouverneur Public Library and Gouverneur Historical Association. She and her husband were long time supporters of E J Noble Hospital and were grateful for the life-saving role it played in their lives.
Mrs. Ptak is survived by her daughter Mary Ptak, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; a son Stephen Ptak, of Albany; three grandchildren, Matthew, Eric, and Rachel Ptak; a brother Richard Burke and his wife Florence, of Maryland; and numerous much loved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband; parents; three brothers James, John, and Frank Burke; and two sisters Gladys Lynch and Doris Wallace.
Memorial donations may be made to E.J. Noble Hospital or St. James Catholic Church.
