Elda Hays Ptacek

Albany- Elda Hays Ptacek, 87, passed away on Wednesday, August 17, 2005 at St. Peter's Hospital. Born in Howe's Cave, NY she was the daughter of the late Fred and Margaret Hays. Elda received her Master's degree from the New York State College for Teachers in Albany, Majoring in mathematics. Mrs. Ptacek took an accounting course at Albany Business College and was offered a teaching position there when World War II started. She taught at Albany Business College from 1942 to 1971. From 1971 to 1983, she served as the College Accountant. Elda has been an active member of the Pine Grove Methodist Church in Colonie. Since 1960 she had taught Sunday school at the church and had been a member of its United Methodist Women's Group. She served as president of the Women's Group twice and as its treasurer several times. In addition to her active church life, Mrs. Ptacek was a member of the Herbert Kuhn Senior Center in Colonie. In 2004 Elda received the Senior Lifetime Achievement Award of Albany and Rensselaer Counties.
Elda was married to Edwin Ptacek for seven years until his death. They had one daughter, Margaret Markha who resides in Lee, MA with her husband David and their three children, Deanna, Michael and Amy. Elda also has two step daughters, Luella Smith of Scotland, PA and Carol Kerwin of Phoenix, AZ. She has four step grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00 AM at Pine Grove United Methodist Church, Central Avenue, Albany. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.). In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Pine Grove United Methodist Church 1580 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205 in memory of Elda H. Ptacek.